Remembering A Sweet Memory On Main Street + A Peek At Our Holiday Decor
Typically this time of year I’d be with my kids having a joyful time at Disneyland. My most favorite time of year is Halloween, but nothing beats the holiday season on Main Street at Disneyland! It is heavily decorated with a giant tree that greets you as you enter. The cheery music floods the air and surrounds you as you bop along down the street. Casually trying not bump into anyone, because let’s be honest it is super crowded! If you time it right around the evening, snow will even gently fall from what looks to be the sky. In Southern California it doesn’t even come close to snow though, it is Disney magic indeed. The Disney die hards lovingly refer to as ‘snoap’ since it is mini foamy bubbles that resemble snowfall. As the store front lights twinkle groups of people quite literally hustle in and out. Trying to snag a gift or souvenir, a treat, or maybe realizing they are late for a Fast Pass return time. Aside from the ever popular toddler meltdown, the general feeling is pure happiness. The best part? Well to me at least, is visiting the Jolly Holiday Bakery for those delicious and super soft gingerbread cookies! Then eating them while taking in all the sites.
This year is a bit different. Not even a bit, A LOT different. Disneyland is closed and we won’t be able to enjoy Main Street during the holiday season. Thank goodness for vivid memories.
While I was decorating our tree I was thinking about Main Street during the holidays and how much I love it. There is one ornament that always reminds me of my most fondest memory that happened right on Main Street. It is the classic Mickey Mouse ear hat and it has my son’s name painted on it.
It was the first holiday season that I had to endure with out Ryan. My family and I were at Disneyland one night and the scene was exactly how I described it above. Bustling joy. minus me, who was desperately trying to hold it together but also feeling a warm happiness deep down because Disneyland is a place where I can feel my son all around. I’m always happy at Disneyland. That night I was with my cousins and we had decided to pop into a store that was dripping with ornaments. I had spotted a cast member who was hand painting names on ornaments and immediately set out to buy one. I wanted one that had my son’s name on it. The thing is, this is where the memory gets foggy. I picked my ornament and I told the lady what I wanted written on it. I know we had to leave and then pick it up later because it was really busy. At some point a kind woman paid for my ornament because she recognized my son’s name. Or maybe me and my family? I don’t fully remember but I do remember she was so nice and bought the ornament for me. It was such a surprise and on the way out of the store we bumped into each other or maybe it was inside the store? All I know is that I felt so much love and support from this stranger and her family. She did something for me that felt so selfless and kind. And as busy as Main Street is during the holidays it felt like time stood still in that moment. Almost as if Ryan was just holding us all there for a second so his Mom could feel that fierce love.
I think about this memory every year when I decorate my Christmas tree and it always warms my heart. I don’t think I’ve ever written this memory down so here it is. This holiday season is proving to be more difficult than ever. 2020 in general has been difficult right? We all need to feel more of that fierce love. I think that is why this memory hits much harder than it typically does. I’m so grateful for this memory. It is a great example of paying it forward and doing something kind for others. Let this inspire us to do the same at some point this year. It could help change someones life for the better and offer them a warm memory to think back on year after year.
Happy Holidays Friends!
