Sea World

Thursday, December 4, 2014

The most pink flamingos I have ever seen in person.  They were magnificent.

I took Shelby, Brennon, and Tyson to the aquarium while waiting for the other kids to go on a ride.  Not Shelby's favorite way to begin Sea World.  She has been segregating herself more and more from the boys.  She goes to bed later than them, and makes sure to watch the clock like a hawk so they go to bed on time, before her.  So, when she wanted to go with Caden and Keilie, but couldn't because she wasn't as tall, it broke her heart.  She was not a happy camper with this as the first attraction we came to in Sea World.  She had had enough of it at Universal Studios, she didn't want a repeat of that action.  As it turns out, this was an amazing time.  Such beautiful creatures in a beautiful enclosure.

While watching the dolphins swim and jump around, I made the comment that I have always wanted to feed a dolphin.  We all knew that Caden was going to get to do it.  That was one of the main attractions about going with Make A Wish, Sea World gave a tray of fish with his entrance package.  We were super excited for Sea World for this purpose.  One of the employees heard me say I had always wanted to and cut in to tell me that since we were with Caden, we all would get a tray of fish.  And just like that, my wish was granted because of his.

These outstretched hands, hoping to touch a dolphin in passing, would get to actually touch and feed a dolphin!!

Tyson was done getting splashed by them while we waited, so he asked if we could sit and wait away from the water.  Then he asked if I would take a picture with him, like Brennon.  Um...YES!!!

This was his reaction when I asked him how he felt about actually getting to touch and feed a dolphin!

And then Caden joined in on all the silliness.

And so I made him take a selfie with me.

And got a little silly myself.

Right before our time-slot.  Glass was barrier that would be broken in just moments.

And then it was our turn.  I didn't get good pictures of anyone other than Keilie because of my placement in line.  I thought I would do well being the last, but it turns out that when there is this much fun to be had, the camera isn't the most important accessory.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!!

While going on this ride (without Shelby, sigh)...

I had the most profound insight.  As we were climbing the first hill, I happened to look over and notice the maintenance stairs.  And in that surreal moment, remembered my earlier analogies of the roller coaster ride we were on.  How we had come full-circle.  Because there in that moment, with my son by my side, we were excited for the ride.  We were screaming with joy, not frustration, pain, or fear.  We were happy to be there, at that moment of anticipation, together, looking forward to the slow climb up, the fast drop down, the neck-jarring turns, and the back-breaking stop at the end.  In just one year we had come from the lowest depression, agony, and sadness of our lives, to this amazing celebration of life on a trip with the most amazing organization ever- a trip that we were in no way prepared for and can never adequately describe in all of it's complexity.  This ride, with my children on either side of me, was fun.  This ride of life, with my family together at last and my son in my arms, is even better.  This wasn't the first roller coaster of the trip.  But it was the one that meant the most to me.  The one that allowed me to step back once more, and realize the incredible gift I have been given.  Life Is Good!

As you can tell, it's freezing in this place.  We love penguins.  And like the turtles earlier this morning, I think we need a penguin.

Brennon's first lost tooth.  Since I am typing this commentary after the fact, I want to add that Brennon is exactly one week older than his cousin, Payton.  And exactly one week after Brennon lost his first tooth, Payton lost hers.

Shelby and Tyson have been the most excited to see characters.  They took time out of their playing schedule to pose.

And while Caden and I were taking a short break, Shamu came to visit.  It was a blast.

The last thing on our Sea World schedule was the Shamu Show.  When walking in to get seated, someone saw us in our matching-shirt glory and took us straight to reserved seating.  Caden and Shelby were dying to get wet, so they asked where they could sit.  The volunteer got an excited gleam in his eye and took them down to the front row, right in the center, where Shamu would perform on the platform.  And left the rest of the bench empty.  Caden and Shelby, front and center, all by themselves.  The music was inspiring, the whales were well-trained and fun, and my heart was in my throat.  The whole experience, like our whole trip, was simply amazing.  I will never be able to put into words all that was felt, all that was given, and that we got.  We were treated like more than a celebrity.  We were treated like royalty.