That was the wording on the shirt of a guest today. I was laughing so hard... because I always laugh when someone falls... and if I was a tree and I saw another tree fall... then I would probably laugh too... anyways. I probably had my best day yet today! And nothing extraordinary happened, but it was still the best day! I do have a compilation of small stories that might contribute to that title:
A family of five was walking, the dad pushing the stroller and a ten-year-old girl walking in front of it. About 20 yards ahead of them a duck crawled out of the bushes and was clearly in their way. The girl yells, "Dad, watch out for the duck!" The dad sarcastically replies, "Duck? What duck? I don't see a duck..." Girl, "Dad! Stop! Ah! Ugh..." That sooooo reminded me of my dad and Isaac. I was smiling.
A middle aged man holding hands with one of his children was speed-walking toward Norway and said, "Hurry, honey! We have to make it to the ride in Norweigia!" Serious.
I was standing in Mexico facing the huge Mexican Temple when and older woman walked over to me. I got ready to answer her question or graciously receive her compliment on my hair when she stood next to me and smiled straight ahead. After watching her, perplexed, I realized her daughter was taking a picture of the two of us. So I smiled, the camera flashed, she thanked me and walked away. I'm still confused.
I was sweeping the streets and a woman was walking the opposite direction with her mom. The daughter was talking and the only part of the conversation I heard was, "...he hadn't even been alive one second and I was completely in love..." Ahh :) I got chills.
After dark, I was walking the street and a little boy stopped me to trade Disney pins. After 2 seconds, I realized that his family was from England, because of their accents. Boy one, 5 years old, and boy 2, three years old, decided what pins they wanted and their parents helped them take off the pins from their lanyards that were now mine. We have finished our little transaction and the dad said to the younger boy, "Sebastian, you remember what we do when we pin trade with someone?" The boy looks at me and motions for me to come down to his level. I do and he gives me the sweetest, most adorable kiss on the cheek. I think I blushed. It made my whole year.
Just before the fireworks, this group of four loud, happy adults came walking towards me saying, "Let's just ask Sally!" One walked up to me, looked at my name tag and said, "Her name is Maddi!" I was a little lost but he continued, "Maddi, we need you to make a decision for us. Beer or a margarita?" Without missing a beat, I said, "Margarita." He replied, "Margarita, huh? Are you of age? Do you even drink?" I said, "No and no but where else are you going to get an authentic Mexican margarita like the ones in Mexico in Disney World?" That was acceptable and all four of them walked away with margaritas in their hands. You're welcome, Walt. That's $36 right there.
So that was my day at work! Today I actually had a realization. A really big one too. Like, so big that I had tears in my eyes. It started when I was talking to a couple and the woman told me that she had heard about the college program and was supposed to do presentations on it at the local college and wanted to know what I thought of it. Without thinking first, I replied so honestly. I said, "Honestly, it's a job. I work 40 to 50 hours every week." I took a second and looked around at the lights on the different landmark replications and beautiful buildings around the 1.3 mile pavillion. I saw the sun waiting as long as it could to set behind blue/pink clouds and reflecting off of the lagoon. I watched two girls dressed up as Belle and Ariel run to have dinner with their favorite princesses. I continued, "But look at where I work. I get to be inside of this happiness all day long. I'm never going to get this opportunity again in my life. The people I work with are some of the kindest, most interesting people I have ever met in my life. And I get to be a part of all of this. I absolutely love it." I did have tears brimming at this point and the couple thanked me and walked off. But I took a minute to stand in awe. I do have a full-time job where I come home alone to a silent apartment that I wish was filled with my family or friends. But that would take away from the experience that I am going through personally. It is a tough situation for me, but let me just tell you, it pays for itself many times over. When I have a frantic mom come up to me, I spend 5 minutes doing some detective work, and I get to kneel down and let her watch me tell her two daughters that their favorite character is right inside the building, waiting especially to meet them, and their faces light up. Or when a newlywed couple taking pictures of each other is so grateful when I offer to take a picture of them together and it might just be the only picture they have of both of them on their whole trip. Or when a family excitedly approaches me and tell me about all of the fun they had doing the things I suggested when I met them the week before in another park. Or when I get to high-five little kids with a mickey glove on and they think they just touched gold. Or when there is a tired-looking toddler in a stroller passing by and I catch her eye and smile and she beams back. Or when I get to wish Happy 50th Anniversary to a couple walking hand-in-hand down the street. I am so blessed to be able to do what I do. These moments are ones that I will never forget. I was lucky enough to grow up with hundreds of Disney memories and to think that I am taking part in making them now blows my mind. Every time I go to Disneyland, I look at those "Cast Member Only" doors and daydream. As I was turning the key in one today, I realized I don't have to anymore. My dreams have come true in the happiest place on earth.
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