Of Mice And Kin

It may be the home of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, but last week, Disneyland served as the magical backdrop for a special celebration of life.

Arriving from Manhattan, my friend, Wendi, stepped into the bright California sunshine when I picked her up at LAX. Thus, began our kid-like romp of “The happiest place on Earth” and to share love and laughs as we remembered her late mother, Joyce, who passed away earlier this year.

Some might question the choice of location, given the highly animated and festive flair of Disney’s flagship theme park. Yet, we both knew that her mom (who was also a close friend of mine) would have it no other way. Joyce’s favorite word was “fun;” she used it as often as others dispensed, “hello.” Between the shrieks (Space Mountain, Indiana Jones and Matterhorn Bobsleds) and smiles (It’s a Small World and Peter Pan’s Flight) from riding the park’s attractions, we felt she was with us every step (we calculated about eight miles of walking each day) of the way!

After two days at the House of the Mouse, we ventured closer to Los Angeles, lodging at a hotel that I’d initially stayed at in 1992. “There’s a lady who still works the front desk from the first time I was here,” I informed Wendi. When it came time to check-out, I had the chance to reconnect with the employee, who beamed as I recalled seeing her nearly 25 years ago.

When she asked the purpose of our time in La La Land, Wendi and I shared that we were celebrating the life of her late mother. The hotel staffer then shared a poignant story of her own mother’s transition. “On the second year anniversary of her passing, I was feeling sad. I kept asking for a sign from above that she was around.”

Moments later that particular morning, her wish was answered. “As I was working, a hotel guest approached the counter and handed me a gold cross that she had found on the second floor. It was a message from my mother and I began crying tears of joy.”

After hearing her heartfelt story, I had to open up. I extended my business card and told her that I was a psychic medium. She then glided from behind the counter and hugged both of us standing in the lobby. “This has made my day,” she repeated several times.

We couldn’t have picked a better way to end the trip.

Love and light,

Tony

My friend Wendi and I met Minnie Mouse while visiting Disneyland last week.