Em emerged from the cabin of the monorail, simply beaming, holding in her hand her O- fficial monorail license. She now owned a piece of the monorail. Great, you know what she's going to be like to live with now??
We went through our usual routine of going through the turnstiles, handing me all the tickets (DH blew it) and getting our goody bags.
We were not as bouncy and happy.
We were getting sadder with each step.
We knew soon, DS was going to leave.
We played around on Buzz a few more times, and I bought the ride photo because DS was in it. We went down Space Mountain and I bought the ride photo because DS was in it. You get the idea.
DH noticed I was buying all the ride photos and started to, for one split second, question this. One look at me and he knew, if DS was in the photo, I was buying it. I think he was afraid that an innocent passerby might stop and catch DS in their own photos and I would steal their camera.
It was getting late. We went to Paco Bills to grab a bite. I wasn't that hungry. You could feel the tension building in our crew, all except Em. She was still unaware that her super-hero was leaving. It was better that way so she could have some fun with him. I was glad later that we made that decision.
The fireworks started and we all quietly watched. It was about 10:00 pm and DS really had to get on the road. It tore my heart out to watch the kids all walking through Adventureland to the front gate, all holding hands. When they were walking down Main St. hand-in-hand I tried to take some photos, but I was crying too hard and they are all blurry.
Did you know the CM's are really special people? Do you realize how special they are? I found out later when Waldo told me. At the time, I didn't realize there were any other people there at all.
We got to the front gate near the turnstiles. The electric light parade was going by. DS got on his knees and told Em he had to go.
"Why?" She was pulling on his shirt, big fat tears running down her cheeks.
"Because I have to go to work." He was fighting tears.
"Why?" she asked again.
"Because America needs me."
"I need you." She was bawling at this point and she grabbed him around the neck. They were both sobbing. We had to pull her off him. She had weaved her fingers together and wouldn't let go. It broke my heart. We were all crying.
He gave his sisters hugs and kisses, DH a handshake then a big hug, Waldo a handshake... Then it was my turn.
I thought my heart would rip out though my chest.
We hugged a long time, and I told him things in his ear. I am so proud of my son, for where he came from and where he is now. He has done good. He is my only son, my firstborn, my baby. I will love him the rest of my life.
He started walking towards the monorail, and I was watching DH's face. He had tears in his eyes as he followed Ds walk up the monorail ramp. I was afraid to look, afraid if I did look, would simply curl up and die.
I looked.
They saw a man, with a military hair-cut in his clean white shirt, with all his muscles and his wdw shopping bag walking into his future and working on F-16 fighter jets.
I saw my baby with his sun bleached blond hair, chubby dimpled cheeks and chocolate on his chin.
I love you Chris. Bye.
I have to stop here, I promise this is the last time I will make you cry.