Off we went! The four of us escaped under the radar to test the travelling waters. It has been a very long time since we have been on a plane and the doctors gave us the okay so off we went. I will admit it was an excuse to avoid the Thanksgiving holiday and home for the holiday troubles but I certainly was not short on Thanksgiving gratitude. Not a moment of thankfulness was lost in my heart thanking our angel donor every moment for what we have been given. I was grateful every moment of the few days being given the opportunity to be having the opportunity to be having the opportunity if you know what I mean. The trip itself was to serve two important purposes: 1 was to give Matthew his 17th birthday gift which was to drive real luxury vehicles on a real race track and 2 was to eat a very special meal at a very special restaurant. Rob and I have been going to this very fancy place for almost 20 years. We got engaged there and have been there every year at least once if not more. Several years ago we treated the boys to this very grown up dining experience and it made a real impact on them. I never really knew just how much until it became a significant motivational goal last year in the hospital when Daniel couldn’t and wouldn’t eat. Back when he had a feeding tube and wouldn’t eat and then when he eventually tried so hard to eat but couldn’t we talked about the day when he would be able to eat again and all the dream foods and when all the miserable food restrictions were taken off what was the one thing if there was anything in the world…ANYTHING? We could get him? Of course at the point we would have flown to the ends of the earth for our baby. He said MICHEAL’S GOURMET ROOM. Done. Well today was the day. And my friends when I tell you the amount of food that they serve and the amount that this kid was able to put away you would not have believed your eyes. I am including several pictures of him enjoying several courses of this meal. We told his story (at least this part) to the Maitre’D that has been at Michael’s for 30 years and he broke down crying. He pulled the table away from us and asked if he could hug Daniel. We all teared up and he was gracious enough to not allow us to pay for our meal. This is not a cheap meal people, there is a reason we only go there once a year. This beautiful man was overcome with love and prayers for Daniel the rest of the night and could not get enough of his new ‘fighter.’ He gave Daniel his phone number and asked him to please, please, please call him often to let him know how he is doing so he can continue to pray everyday for him. What a beautiful man this was. I have a feeling we will not only stay in touch but that we will revisit and make a new tradition with the kids. Matthew made me tear up when he said that he hopes he is lucky enough that he will be able to bring his children there one day. Please G-d. Tfu tfu tfu.
Overall we had a wonderful few days away as a family. To say it was overdue is an understatement. We were a family that used to travel frequently. Not having a get-a-way for 2 years has been difficult. This trip was filled with lots of fun. We saw some fun shows. Saw Matthew do something that is a dream of his. Daniel hit the Lululemon jackpot at an outlet on a black Friday clearance sale. He equated his Lululemon sale to Matthew’s racecar experience (I thought that was hysterical). I was a very happy mom because they all let me take lots of pictures which makes me happy.
I was very concerned about Daniel and his soreness from after being on the airplane for less than 2 hours. Concerned because of our upcoming trip next week to Israel. 2 hours compared to more than 12 straight terrifies me. Not to mention the day after a bone marrow aspirate. Rob and I discussed postponing his procedure but Daniel said absolutely not. H will not risk soreness for delay in diagnoses or spread of disease he says. Even two weeks he says makes a difference and he says he will take Tylenol and deal with it. I can not and will not argue with him for a second. I whole heartedly agree with him. Again I believe he calls the shots and he needs to live his life the way he wants too.
This is how we spent our Thanksgiving holiday together.
Overall we had a wonderful few days away as a family. To say it was overdue is an understatement. We were a family that used to travel frequently. Not having a get-a-way for 2 years has been difficult. This trip was filled with lots of fun. We saw some fun shows. Saw Matthew do something that is a dream of his. Daniel hit the Lululemon jackpot at an outlet on a black Friday clearance sale. He equated his Lululemon sale to Matthew’s racecar experience (I thought that was hysterical). I was a very happy mom because they all let me take lots of pictures which makes me happy.
I was very concerned about Daniel and his soreness from after being on the airplane for less than 2 hours. Concerned because of our upcoming trip next week to Israel. 2 hours compared to more than 12 straight terrifies me. Not to mention the day after a bone marrow aspirate. Rob and I discussed postponing his procedure but Daniel said absolutely not. H will not risk soreness for delay in diagnoses or spread of disease he says. Even two weeks he says makes a difference and he says he will take Tylenol and deal with it. I can not and will not argue with him for a second. I whole heartedly agree with him. Again I believe he calls the shots and he needs to live his life the way he wants too.
This is how we spent our Thanksgiving holiday together.