Canadian Buffoon's Disney With a Teen Vacation - 08/13 - The Wrap

[pkondz]

I think we should add washing dishes to the not on vacation list.

Normally, I'd agree with you.
But if the kids are along...

They are the dishwasher.

But otherwise... yeah.

Much cuter than a mongoose!

I dunno.
When they aren't baring their teeth
they're pretty cute.

I think that this should be the new policy of litter - only coral and other gemstones allowed.

I could live with that.

I would think it was fun until I had to stop to throw up.

.... whoops.

Then I would think it was fun as I slept off the massive Gravol dose.

Well, there ya go.
Fringe benefit.

Cruel. Just cruel.

I will volunteer to sip wine while in the shade with Ruby!

Good. Now she has someone to talk to.

I love sweet little songs. Can't seem to find this one on iTunes though...

No? Keep looking.
Pretty sure it's there.

Maybe search under Jerry Lee Lewis.

To get to the other tide.

Very, very good.

Haleakala Crater Tour

Krispy Kremes

2

Our pilots are really happy!

Duck!

Local Boys

pkondz

Ruby - they are suspicious of no sunburn

Early - 30 minutes (because VIP)

Shovel...

Noted.

HA HA HA HA HA... HA... Ha... ha..... ha..........

 

[MarieLightning]

(Although it was to protect my ears
from IASW.)

Right, I have no idea where that brain fart came from. It's not like you would need to protect your ears from RnRC XD

I think it was just because of the reminder of the type of music listened to with said earphones, and that linked to RnRC

 

[pkondz]

Hmmm after reading the banter, I might want to change my guess for the last excursion.

It's allowed.
Right up to the update is posted.

Well you did use the words "uncomfortable" and "But...." in the same post.

I'll give you that one.
But (there's that word again) unintentional.

Fran goes in this week. I get my turn two weeks later.

Probably a good idea not to go
(literally)
at the same time.

 

[pkondz]

Right, I have no idea where that brain fart came from. It's not like you would need to protect your ears from RnRC XD

I think it was just because of the reminder of the type of music listened to with said earphones, and that linked to RnRC

You know, that makes perfect sense.

 

[pkondz]

Just a quick note before I get started
on the IRL update.
I'm behind on several or your TRs/PTRs,
and for that I apologize.

I'm possibly a little burned out right now.
My last day off was April 15.
(Although when I threw my back out
I did take a sick day and lay in bed on May 6th)
I still have tonight and three more shifts to get through.

I really, really want to post this update first.
But then I'll play catch up, okay?

 

[Mrs T 2009]

1. You're a beautiful bride!
2. Love the gown.
3. They did a good job with the eye move.
I can't tell that it's shopped.
And I frequently can.

1. Thank you! We just celebrated 7 years on the 9th!
2. Thank you! I like simple; and wanted a splash of color
3. I think because I know, I see it so much more pronounced. The one eye looks wonky. The only thing about that day is I wish I could go back in time and choose a different photographer. This ones mannerisms and the air about him not caring what exactly WE wanted, made me mad. Our best man had to have a chat with him when he tried to send his helper on our party bus. We didn't want anyone on there except our party/significant others. Oh well!
I told my husband for our 10 year, we need to renew our vows in WDW!!

 

[franandaj]

Probably a good idea not to go
(literally)
at the same time.

You got that right! Besides we both will be anesthetized so we are each other's ride home.

I really, really want to post this update first.
But then I'll play catch up, okay?

No problem you can even skip the shout out on this reply until after you post. But then I'm going to forge ahead with the new TR and post the surprise that folks are ancy about, and I don't think they'll actually like! You might though.

 

[pkondz]

1. Thank you! We just celebrated 7 years on the 9th!

Happy (belated) anniversary!

2. Thank you! I like simple; and wanted a splash of color

I think you succeeded admirably there.

3. I think because I know, I see it so much more pronounced. The one eye looks wonky.

I'd have to see a better picture of it
(as well as one of you - non photoshopped)

The only thing about that day is I wish I could go back in time and choose a different photographer. This ones mannerisms and the air about him not caring what exactly WE wanted, made me mad.

That's too bad.
That's one of those things you can't really
tell ahead of time, unfortunately.

Our best man had to have a chat with him when he tried to send his helper on our party bus. We didn't want anyone on there except our party/significant others. Oh well!

I told my husband for our 10 year, we need to renew our vows in WDW!!

And what did he say to that?

 

[pkondz]

You got that right! Besides we both will be anesthetized so we are each other's ride home.

It would certainly make an interesting ride.
Scary as heck for everyone around you, but...

No problem you can even skip the shout out on this reply until after you post.

I had to shut down and move to another terminal,
so I figured I'd reply quickly before getting back to work.

I'm also very nervous about doing it justice.
I already know I won't.

But then I'm going to forge ahead with the new TR and post the surprise that folks are ancy about, and I don't think they'll actually like! You might though.

Oooh... sounds interesting!
I'll be there as soon as I can! Promise!

 

[queenbetsey]

beautiful bride

 

[queenbetsey]

oh man snow yesterday? just when you though you could put the mukluks away too. we were in the eighties and nineties for a few days now saying it will cool off again, so turtle neck sweaters for the next few days since they are saying it will be in low 70's high 60's (the life of a cali native weather sissy) oh and we are still waiting for el nino to show up...

 

[franandaj]

so turtle neck sweaters for the next few days since they are saying it will be in low 70's high 60's (the life of a cali native weather sissy)

Hah! I'm wearing t-shirts in the cold weather. Normally by this time of year I've moved on to my tank tops but it's just too cold!

 

[pkondz]

oh man snow yesterday? just when you though you could put the mukluks away too. we were in the eighties and nineties for a few days now saying it will cool off again, so turtle neck sweaters for the next few days since they are saying it will be in low 70's high 60's (the life of a cali native weather sissy) oh and we are still waiting for el nino to show up...

You remembered the mukluks!

Sweaters and 60's do not go together.
Just sayin'.

 

[pkondz]

Hah! I'm wearing t-shirts in the cold weather. Normally by this time of year I've moved on to my tank tops but it's just too cold!

You're cold is my warm!

 

[pkondz]

Okay. Update time.
Brace yourselves.

I must admit to being a little annoyed with myself.
I really wanted to do a better job with it.

Sometimes, words fail.

 

[pkondz]

Are you uncomfortable yet?

Death and taxes.

If the first noun in that blurb
makes you cringe...
If you only want humour
and corny Dad jokes
(and poor writing, of course,)
then you may want to skip ahead.
(Unfortunately, if you don't skip ahead,
you'll still have the poor writing.
Life is not always fair.)

But if you're willing,
I have a story to tell you.


Still here?


So be it.


And I'm going to apologize in advance.
I have too much to say
and too little time to say it right.
The result will not be what I want it to be,
but nevertheless, here it is.



Death and taxes.

A cliché, right?
The origin of the phrase dates back to 1726,
when Daniel Defoe wrote:
"Things as certain as death and taxes,
can be more firmly believed."

Later, Benjamin Franklin wrote:
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain,
except death and taxes."
and the phrase stuck.
Although usually it's just shortened to "Death and taxes"
and everyone gets it.

Did you know a variation was also uttered
in Gone With the Wind?
"Death, taxes and childbirth!
There's never any convenient time for any of them."


Taxes on our house went up this year... again.
I wasn't happy about it.
But I can (sort of) do something about it.
I can vote the guy out who raised them.

Of course when I do that,
the next guy will gleefully rub his hands together
before tearfully announcing that
due to his predecessors bungling,
he'll have to keep the tax hike.

And then he'll raise it some more.

Lather, rinse, repeat.


And then there's death.
You know... you know,
that your grandparents
and eventually, your parents
(lalalalalalalala!!! I can't hear you!)
are going to die.

That's right. I said die.

Couch it in soft and fluffy phrases if you like.
Pass away.
Leave us.
Move on.
Go to a better place.

But they're still dead, okay?


Nevertheless, it's a part of life.
The circle of life.
You are born, you live,
maybe you give birth to new life,
you die.

But sometimes....

Sometimes a wrench gets thrown in the works.


Last October, the 19th to be exact,
I was at work when I got a scary text from Kay.
(I no longer have the texts, so I have to paraphrase here.)

Kay: "Dad. I'm locked in the library
and I don't know what to do."

Well, if that doesn't get the old heart pumping...

Me: "Are you okay? What's going on?"
Kay: "I don't know."
Kay: "I'm freaking out."
Kay: "I'm locked in the library."
Kay: "They just made an announcement that a student was hurt."
Me: "Okay. It sounds like they know what they're doing."
Kay: "Because I was freaking out, they let me go in a small room."
Me: "Are you there alone?"
Kay: "No. There are others here too."
Me: "Are you okay?"
Kay: "I don't know what's going on, but I'm okay now."
(Her friends helped calm her down.)
Me: "I'm off work in a bit, should I come get you right now?"
Kay: "No. I'm okay now. What time are you off work?"

I told Kay when I was off (not much later)
and she asked if I would pick her up when I got off.

Well, of course.

I arrived at the school not long afterwards.
There were a lot of kids milling around
and a teacher was outside.
Also outside were several cars,
which didn't surprise me,
since today was Elections day in Canada
and the school was a voting spot.
What did surprise me was the police car out front.
Maybe they were here to investigate the accident?


I walked towards the school entrance
and was stopped by the teacher.
I assume it was a teacher.
I didn't recognize him...
but I don't know many of the teachers there.
"Are you hear to vote?" He asked.
"No, I'm picking up my daughter, Kay."
He nodded and stepped aside.
"Odd." I thought. "It's almost like
he was preventing me from going in."
Maybe it was because they didn't want people
to use the front entrance?
Strange... I've voted in other schools
and they just put up arrows
pointing to the voting area.
No one greets you.

I shrugged and went inside.

I went to the office so they could page Kay.
There were three or four people in the office;
the normal two I'm used to seeing there
and a couple others.
More teachers I presume.
They all seemed.... harried.

One of the admin assistants said something to me.
Again, I'm paraphrasing, but it was basically:
"What are you doing here?"
Kinda curt, bordering on rude, really.
(As you'll soon see the reason why.
The entire staff were stressed and upset.)

"I'm Kay's father and I'm taking her home." I said.
Moments later, a visibly shaken Kay arrived at the office.


School gossip moves fast.

Kay and I got in the car and I asked.
"So do you know what happened?"
"I think someone tried to commit suicide." She said.

"oh"

I asked a few more questions,
but all she had was rumours
and suspicion on who it might be.
(The rumours were rampant and varying,
but the student in question wasn't.)

As the days passed,
we began to get a clearer picture
of what happened and to whom.


Molly, a grade 11 student was found
in the school bathroom with a shoelace
tied around her neck.
It's unknown how long she was without air.
She was taken to a hospital
and her parents were notified.

I can't even begin to imagine
how they must have felt
when the police arrived at their home
and told them their daughter was
in the hospital.


Weeks went by.
After three months, neurologists diagnosed Molly
as being in a "Persistent Vegetative State".
But her parents didn't agree.
They claimed that Molly was responding to them.

Now I will admit this...
much to my shame...
When I heard this, I nodded ever so wisely
and thought this was a natural reaction
for parents not to accept the fact
that their child was basically gone.

Sometimes, I'm a fool.
Frequently, in fact.

Molly was responding.


Since her suicide attempt,
Molly has been moved from the hospital
and is getting care at a facility that specializes
in developmental disabilities, autism
and acquired brain injuries.
And slowly, ever so slowly, she's improving.
She may never recover completely,
I don't know.
But she is getting better, day by day.


Now this all started over half a year ago.
Why am I writing about it now?


Molly was interested in Japanese animation
(Anime) and so is Kay.
They were in the school's anime club.
They were both also in the Wind Ensemble band.

Molly's parents started a GoFundMe page
shortly after her suicide attempt.
They've raised more than half their goal already.
Kay contributed to it.
So did I.
When I saw the page, there was a picture of Molly.
One before her attempt and one after.

I was... crushed.
And I don't use that term lightly.
In fact, I've never used it.
There was this picture
of a beautiful young girl
with a mischievous smile
and a sparkle in her eyes.

This? This girl tried to kill herself???

It was unfathomable.


Every year, for the past few years,
the school Kay goes to has a health week.
One day of which is devoted to mental health.

One.

As Kay so bluntly puts it:
"It's the same thing all the time
and we don't learn anything."

This year, a young lady in grade eleven,
a good friend of Molly's,
decided that wasn't enough.
Virtually single handedly, she convinced the school
to let her put on a "concert" on Molly's behalf.
(She also organized presentations throughout the week.)
Other students became involved
and the "concert" was slated for Thursday, May 12th,
from 4:00pm to 7:30pm.

Kay had asked me a few times if I was going to attend.
"Of course." I said.
Elle asked if I would pick her up and could she go too.
"Of course." I said.
(Elle knew Molly too. Molly was two years Elle's junior
and would have only known her for one year.
But she remembered her. Indeed when she found out,
she asked Kay: "She was always smiling, right?")


I really didn't know what to expect.
A "concert" put on by students.
Really. How good could this be?
Let's be realistic here folks.
I've been to school fundraisers before.
They ain't all that they're cracked up to be.
A few crappy silent auction prizes
of stuff no one really wants,
an okay bake sale,
maybe some hot dogs.

And that's about it.
And that's usually organized by adults.
What could a sixteen year old kid do?


This event was.... overwhelming.
It was obvious, right from the outset
that the community had come together
for a cause that meant a lot to them.

The school was filled with students,
staff, parents, family members,
returning students and friends.

Yes. There was a bake sale.
Yes. There were hot dogs.
Yes. There was a silent auction with prizes.
But...
There were over a dozen prizes,
some worth hundreds of dollars,
all donated.
Students were selling T-shirts
with Molly's artwork on them.
(Molly loved art and most of the students
were wearing the T-shirts, too.)

Kay and some of her friends had made
bath bombs and were selling them.
"Dad, will you buy a bath bomb
for when you have a bath?" She asked.
"I don't want to have a bath bomb in my bath." I replied
"Well, buy one for Mom." She persisted.
"Mom doesn't like baths." I said. "But I'll buy one for you."
She nodded happily as I handed her some money.


And then there was the entertainment.
Molly was in a Hungarian dance group.
We were told that these were dances
that Molly would have performed.
It was interesting and entertaining!


And then...


The Wind Ensemble entered the gym.
The audience was in high spirits
after watching the folk dancers.
Elle and I laughed and smiled and waved to Kay.
Others did the same to their kids or friends.

The conductor/director turned to us and spoke.
(Again, paraphrasing.)
"The Wind Ensemble is formed by students who must
audition to join.
When Molly heard the song we are about to play,
she was moved by it and asked if she could join.
The song is called "Dusk"."

What followed was a beautiful, haunting melody.
It was played by an ensemble of young people
for one of their own.

I don't say this very often.
Hell, I never say this.

I was moved by the song, the performance
and what it meant.


I'll lose my man card again
(if I ever got it back in the first place)
but I don't care.

I cried.

I cried for the sheer beauty of the melody.
I cried for the families and friends.
I cried for the kids who played for one of their own.
I cried for Molly.


I want to say how incredibly blessed I am
to have been able to witness that evening.
It wasn't some random organization that did it.
It wasn't some adult group that put it on.
It was the will of one young lady.
And the collaboration of other young people.
All to support a friend.


It gives me hope for the next generation.

Molly today:

Real life update​

 

[franandaj]

That was beautiful.

I can't even begin to tell you how confused I was in high school. I wanted to kill myself on multiple occasions, but I was just too afraid. I didn't understand all the things going on in my head and it took at least another 15 or more years for them to work themselves out. I'm glad I was a coward because I like to think I now have a pretty sweet life, even it has it's glitches sometimes.

 

[jandlinz]

I'm really sorry about Molly. What a special night that must have been. You wrote that beautifully. We'll keep her in our thoughts and prayers. High school can be very hard. I definitely was not in on the popular crowd and they do let you know it. My class had a young boy who committed suicide behind the fields. I remember he had a meeting with a guidance counselor and his dad about dropping out. He was so unhappy (kids were mean). His dad refused. A day later they found him. You are absolutely right that they need more than one day devoted to mental health in high school. I think kids are so confused at that age and just trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be. It sounds like you being there and supporting the cause truly meant a lot to Kay. Elle also wanted to be a part of it. What a beautiful young ladies you have raised!

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[BibbitybobityLu]

I just read your real life post about Molly and I'm struggling with what to say. It's so sad that she felt that that was her only option. High school can be such a hard time (I remember some very hard times during my high school experience) and it's even harder for kids to remember it's only a small, small part, that they have their whole lives to find out who they are and what they want.

As a society we are so afraid of talking about mental health making it so much harder for people to express how they are feeling and get the help they need and then sadly, more times than it ever should, leading them to feel suicide is their only option.

I really, truly hope that Molly continues to recover and improve.


What a wonderful thing for her friend, the students and community did to support Molly and her family.


You really have raised two lovely, caring girls.


(p.s. I think this post gives you some MAJOR points towards getting that man card back.)