The Magic Kingdom the Tuesday after Easter with a 2 and 4 year old…the last time we were at Magic Kingdom was in 1991 when Rachel was 5, Nathan was 2, and we were still arguing about whether or not to have a third child. We took along our 17 year old foster daughter Amy, and my parents. We drove from Nebraska to here where my Dad had rented a small R.V. which enabled the kids to play games at the table in the back while dad and I traded off driving. With the bathroom on board, no need to stop except for gas.
Here we are 27 years later at the same Magic Kingdom and we’re the grandparents with 4 and 2 year old grandsons. The monorail was the same but no need to pick up a map at the entrance because the maps and everything else you could ever need in the Magic Kingdom is on your cell phone.
A few of the shows had not changed much. “It’s a small world” (Danette’s favorite) was now quaint and nostalgic as our little boats wound their way through the little people and music of our many countries. Buzz Lightyear had not changed! Whether you’re 60 or 30, it’s still fun to shoot aliens. Most of the new stuff is for older children which enabled us to skip the long lines for the popular rides.
While the boys were having silhouettes of their faces cut out and framed (a mom thing), Danette and I went into the Hall of Presidents to review the history of U.S. Presidents. The moving, life-like body of each president is amazing. I was reminded of my great respect for George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama, and others. Donald Trump gave the closing speech and as Danette remarked, “That’s the best speech I’ve ever heard him give. He actually spoke in complete sentences.” Praise to our King!
We celebrated Mother’s Day last month and celebrate Father’s Day this month, which isn’t and shouldn’t be as big a deal. We Dad’s just keep plugging along as fathers, grandfathers and if we’re so blessed, as great grandfathers. Just let us cook some steaks on the grill and have a beer without reminding us of gout. Let us believe the Indians are going to the World Series and that there is baseball in heaven. We’ll be O.K.
In Christ – Pastor Doug