sigh butterfly said

I’ve thought of a few family traditions that I believe are unique to California (and maybe the US). One of those traditions is the first trip to Disneyland. The first time I visited there was for my 2 year old birthday a few months after the park opened. We went back every year until my grandmother left LA after my grandfather passed away. Since then it has become a family tradition to celebrate every new child’s birthday in Disneyland at least once. The age isn’t always the same, but certainly by 5 years old. Don’t get me wrong, Disneyland is not for the faint-hearted. It can be a total mess of humanity. But you have been there enough the wave of nostalgia as you enter the park and walk down Main Street is overwhelming. When you add the thrill of accompanying a new member of the family who is seeing it the first time, the bad parts just melt away. Last time we were there on Main Street my little niece Jane squealed and we looked up to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Pluto marching toward us accompanied by a little boy (I think it was a Make a Wish event). Things like that add to our oral traditions each year. We have certain activities we always do and places we eat or go. For instance there is a certain curb that we like to sit on to watch the daily parade of Disney floats. We have sat there for every birthday since 1975 (over 40 years). Sometimes we need to aggressively reserve that space for 2 hours prior to the parade, but it is important that the birthday boy or girl sits in the prime spot with their legs dangling over the curb. My tradition of the last 20 years is to hang out with the birthday kid in front of the castle by the moat right around sunset, while all the other family members are in line for rides. I hope to convey what I am feeling at that moment, remembering family past. Depending on the kid that could mean feeding the ducks, playing pirates on the ramparts, or holding their balloon while they eat an ice cream. One time my granddaughter’s mouse ears fell in the moat and she cried her eyes out. An employee actually helped us fish them out and she still has them in her room today. Our newest family member is almost 3 and plans are in the making!

Shortly after I wrote this California went into lockdown and Disneyland closed. But finally today my sweet little niece is on her way (as part of a family caravan) to celebrate a 5th birthday. My Mom is 89 (and already miraculously recovered from the virus), so I am hanging out with her this time around. I am so happy this tradition is being upheld  and I have promised Janie that I will accompany her to her first concert when she is ready. 

FUN!! Try to go on the AVATAR Flight of Passage (if you haven’t already). Daughter #2 says it is one of the best rides she has ever been on. Some people are brought to tears afterwards because it so beautiful. Daughter #1 has a big birthday coming up in 2024, so we are already making plans.