The Magic of Disney

We did an extended family trip to Disney over New Year's during last year's winter break. I was secretly dreading this trip for the longest time for reasons of my own, but about two weeks before we left, I made the decision to focus on my kids and make it an enjoyable trip for them as well as myself. Honestly, it was great. We had so much fun and the kids loved the rides at the parks. They were already asking us when we were going back....on the flight home. This was a true conversation I had with my 4-year-old.

Mommy, when can we go back to Disney? Maybe in like five years.

Is that 100 days? No...that's more like 1,500 days....

My kids each got one souvenir from Disney to commemorate their bravery riding some scarier rides they wouldn't have done otherwise. I got myself a souvenir as well. We did buy a family ornament from this trip, but this souvenir was completely for me. It was a last-minute decision and I bought it right before we left for the airport. 

Earrings are my way of feeling put-together. I don't spend much time on hair unless it's a special occasion or I feel like putting in the effort, and I don't wear makeup for the same reasons. But adding a pair of earrings can elevate my overall appearance. I've experimented at home in front of the mirror when wearing a t-shirt with my hair in a messy bun. No earrings = frumpy mom mode. Earrings = subtle chic.

Normally, I can't justify spending money on souvenirs like this. I like things to have purpose and meaning. I am working on appreciating items just because we like something for the "thing" it is. My last trip to Disney was when I was around 7 or 8 myself. My mother bought me a piece of jewelry. I was always drawn to the shiny things in gift shops. That's exactly who they're advertising toward - kids/people like me who gravitate toward the sparkles and the glitter. We were in one of the gift shops and I immediately saw the tower of birthstone rings and jewelry. The irony is I always loved the ones that weren't mine - especially March. March birthstone jewelry was always blue because of aquamarine. My mother told me she would buy me my birthstone. 

This one happened to be pink for tourmaline instead of the typical opal I always saw. I agreed and my mom bought it for me. I don't think I ever wore the ring. When I was younger, it felt too special to wear. I saved it in my jewelry box for years and years. My finger eventually outgrew the ring. Yes, it has an adjustable band, but now I choose not to wear it to preserve it. The plastic stone in the left ear fell out sometime in the last 10 years. I honestly have no idea how it happened. It was like one day I went to check my jewelry box and the stone was missing. Even if all the stones fell out, I'd keep it forever. 

My mother couldn't justify spending money on things like these either. But she did, at least this one time, for me. I don't often think about the ways my mom has influenced my life because all of my adult years have been spent independently of her. I've actually appreciated not having to factor my mom's opinion into the decisions I make, but knowing she indulged me decades ago allowed me to indulge myself now.

A reunion, of sorts.