The other day at work something truly magical happened. I was working at Port Orleans outside of the cashier box playing with the kids like I normally do when rentals are slow. A mother and son walked up and was wondering if they could rent a surrey bike. For those of you who don't know what a surrey bike it is like 2 bikes side by side and it looks super cute. While I was talking to the mom she told me a story from a long time ago that melted my heart (she also allowed me to share her story online). Her son was born almost 5 months premature and had developed autism at a very young age. When her husband realized the amount of energy it would take to raise his son he left her on her own. The mom always dreamed of taking her children to Disney World, but realized that it would take a lot of saving up. When her son Devin turned 10 years old she finally had the money to go. They decided to stay at Port Orleans because it was affordable. Once they arrived they walked passed the bike rentals and Devin automatically feel in love with the Surrey bikes. So everyday on their vacation they rented a Surrey bike so he could ring the bell. Unfortunately because of his disability he is unable to pedal the bike so his mom did all the work which is quite a workout. Even though it was hard she rented one everyday just to see Devin smile. Their vacation came to an end and they had always planned to come back. 10 years later they came back to Disney World and Devin requested they stay at Port Orleans just so they can rent a surrey bike everyday. So that brings us back to present time. As I was getting them set up on their bike Devin was smiling and clapping and ringing the bell like it was the best thing ever. When they came back from their ride the mom thanked me and asked if I would take a picture with Devin because he loved how nice I was. So the next day at work they came back to rent a Surrey bike like usual. When they came back from their first ride Devin wanted to go again. His mom was really tired out, but she wanted to make her son happy so they went again. They came and Devin requested to go around just one more time, but his mom was just to tired since she is the only one who can pedal. Meanwhile there were 3 soldiers standing by listening to the mom tell her son she couldn't do it again. The 3 soldiers stepped in and said that they had been thinking about renting out a Surrey bike and asked the mom if Devin would like to go on a 4 seat Surrey bike with them so the mom could rest. Devin was so excited he got to go again and the mom was in tears. I have never witnessed something like this and it really gave me hope that their are people out there who are looking out for others. I was truly blessed to meet Devin and his mom along with the 3 soldiers. I simply love my job!
Have a magical afternoon :)
Taylor, You have a great job and being able to live thru this experience. It goes to show you that there are good people in this world and that alot of them are in military defending this country and ask for nothing in return. It really heart warming to see this in action. Debbie and I have gone to BWI to welcome home men and women coming home from spending time in the middle east defending this country. It was really touching watching thses warriors after coming thru customs with all of us chearing them and welcoming them home because this was the first stop in the US before heading home or back to there home base. To see the tears roll down their checks because they were not expecting any kind of welcome like they received. It was so great so it doesn't suprised me that that they would be willing to help out mom. Here is a link to the group at BWI that greats every military transport coming thru BWI. They are the best. http://www.operationwelcomehomemd.org/
ReplyDeleteMarty