Life Lately

It's been a while since I posted. Things have been a little busy and stressful and it's tough to sit and write how I'm feeling. I'm finding it more difficult to keep life out of work and just enjoy the fun. But thankfully I have some fantastic fellow cast members that take my mind off of things. It's nice to go in and hear that I've been requested at Pixar Place. Or to be able to share a hug with people I haven't seen in a while and get exciting news from them. Last Friday I got a nice surprise to train 3 new trainers on how to shoot JTA. They are great guys and it was a lot of fun hanging out with them. And of course they did a great job! 
And then on Monday I got to see three ladies that I hardly ever see because they aren't shooting in our park anymore but they are so much fun and so awesome! And they were so cute in their Ewok hats. I love how we are like a family and we stay on touch and connected even if we go to separate parks and wander a bit from home. 
Thank you to all of you for helping me through my day!

Family - What Does it Really Mean?

I see families come through work every day. Big ones and small ones. Happy ones and grumpy ones. And I ponder just what it means to be part of a family. I mean, I know what it means to have a biological family. The one you are born into and are related to and all of that. But there are those that you become so familiar with and so close to that they become closer than friends. They become your family.
 I have had a few that I have grown up with and have gotten me through some rough times. And they know more about me than almost anyone. And stick by me and support me no matter what!!!!
 I work with a group of people who live in the magic of Disney every day. Who enjoy the comfort and familiarity of of Disney and the comfort of the stories and the characters. These people have become family to me as well. They can see my mood and tell when I need a hug. They joke with me and know how to make me smile. 
These past few weeks have been pretty challenging for me in several different respects. And usually going to work helps to take my mind off of my troubles. But it has taken some pretty strong doses of pixie dust and pretty broad shoulders to lean on to get me through this. I am so thankful for my family, my whole family, for sticking with me and giving me the strength to get through all of this!!!

A Day Made For Little Boys!

Today was a day made for little boys. They were every where, running and jumping and bouncing all over the place! Full of excitement and amazement as they met some of their favorite movie heroes! It was exciting and exhilarating and exhausting all at the same time. 

But one little boy stood out among the rest. He was so sweet and loving and excited all at once. He loved Buzz and Woody and hugged them and checked them out and touched them to see if they were real. He was autistic and easily distracted but every time I called him "Nathan, smile!" He looked right at me and gave me this huge smile! It was so wonderful to see. Woody and Buzz pulled his parents into the picture as well it was just wonderful how they did that! I love those guys!
 And my day got even better when he came to Cars to see them and I was there too. He would turn around and smile and even wave when I called him there. His parents were so amazing with him. Encouraging and patient and loving yet helping him to move on so that others could have a turn. My heart goes out to these families that struggle not only with children of autism but on top of that Nathan was a Make-A-Wish child which I'm sure was a double whammy for them. 

They made my day with their wonderful attitude and helped me see life through this young man's eyes! Exciting and fresh and full of wonder!