When I was 10, I was meant to go to Disneyland Florida. A three-week holiday was booked, along with all the park tickets and a dolphin-swimming trip. I was SO excited.
View image | gettyimages.comThe six-month count down made it seem so close, yet so far away. The three-month count-down meant it was soon – to a ten-year old anyway. And then came a phone call. My granddad was seriously ill in hospital having had several major heart attacks. Despite the fact I knew he was majorly ill (I’d watched, unknowingly at the time, him suffer the first heart attack), it came as a huge shock. But what I wasn’t prepared for was the cancellation of the holiday. The trip had been planned as part of celebration of my grandparents ruby wedding anniversary, and a seriously ill granddad meant there was no way it could take place. I was gutted. I feel ashamed now as I know I should have been more worried about my granddad, but I cried, I ranted, I raved. What made it worse was two of my friends went on a similar trip that year. My sister felt equally devastated.
Fortunately my granddad recovered, and he promised myself and my sister he’d take us when we were older. Unfortunately that’s never going to happen, as the dreadful thing that is early-onset Alzheimer’s decided to rear it’s ugly head. I know he’d dearly love us to get that Disney experience and, though I’ve given up my Florida dreams, I’d dearly love to take my and my sister to Disneyland Paris to both relieve our disappointment, and fulfill some of my granddad’s dreams for us.
View image | gettyimages.comIf I had a second chance, I’d book a trip to Disneyland Paris for myself and sister. We’d visit Baloo and all our favorite characters, scare ourselves silly on the rides (we’re big wimps, so even Big Thunder Mountain is pushing it for us!), and spend a fortune on Mickey ears. We’d get to do all the things we missed out on that year of our childhood, and I know my granddad would love us to go. And that’s why I’m entering this Ocean Finance competition, which gives me the possibility, the chance, the glimmer of hope that one day I can treat my sister to the holiday we missed out on.
What would you do if you have a ‘second chance’?