Trust me when I tell you that Mackenzie’s wish has completely and totally come true….and beyond everyone’s wildest dream. This has been the most unbelievable week of our lives. We have no words to thank Teresa & Theresa and the amazing staff of the Bahamas Celebration Cruise line. From the moment we arrived we were treated like royalty and they did every last thing you could possibly think of to make sure that Kenzie was happy. We made so many beautiful family memories, took zillions of photos and had the most magical week!!!! Click here to see photos on the BahamasCelebration We arrived at the port were quickly escorted through the ropes and past the lines right up to the check in counter where we met up with the Hotel Manager who escorted us straight to the cabin. (Alicia was excited, she had a FastPass, and this time it was working.) The door opened all I saw was windows and more windows and blue water off the bow of the ship. We had the cabin in the very front of the ship with a long leather sofa, a fridge and a flat screen tv. WOW!!! OMG, this is too much!! Then I heard the kids excited and screaming through the connecting door, huddled together on the sofa and chairs, balloons floating above their heads, huge smiles on their faces as they yelled for us to come see, come see. They had their own superhuge suite. Tinkerbelle and little fairies were lined up along the desktop, 2 pink stuffed teddy bears (one with an angel halo). There was a giant beach bag filled with sand toys & bubbles, 4 bags of squirt toys, 4 Doodle Pros, tons of miniature furry friends, stuffed towel animals, Cheetos & Fritos and candy for the kids. It was UNREAL! On the bed they had crafted these elaborate animals out of the towels, a swan with a long neck, and an elephant. Anthony loved the elephant towel. He played with it moving the ears and the trunk back & forth, making elephant noises. The swans neck up and down again and again. He’s like the cats with a lizard, he doesn’t mean any harm, he just played with them until they were completely unraveled. Kenzie was so excited she was jumping up & down on the bed. It was AWESOME! Then we noticed the cards, one pink & one blue. Inside were the most beautiful messages inviting us to use the ship’s spa, hair, nails, massages, and to ask for anything at all we needed. I handed the cards to Yovany and the tears started rolling down my face. Kenzie was rubbing my back telling me “it’s going to be OK Mommy.” We opened the cabin door and at the end of the hall I saw our two angels walking towards us with big smiles on their faces….. the two ladies with a brand new car and a dead battery, the owner of the ship and her mother in law, Teresa and Theresa. God had crossed our paths at exactly the right moment. You guys made me cry and I never cry was all I could say. She asked where we were going when we got off the ship and I told her, I don’t know, I figured you’d tell us when we got here. She said she’d call Atlantis and find out, she thought they had called us already, and she’d call for a limo. This was all too unbelievable, I was still in shock from all that was occurring, as we followed her down the hall. She told us to drop the kids at the Kids Club anytime we wanted so that we could enjoy the ship. She told us to get haircuts and massages and to rest and relax. We got to the top deck and she led us to the table front and center by the pool and told us the table would be reserved for us for the whole trip. The sun was shining, the water was sparkling, the kids had insulated Bahamas Celebration Cruiseline cups for all the soda they could drink, and I was eating the most delicious bowtie pasta with pesto sauce. After lunch we took the kids to the game room. Alicia said, “Mommy, don’t ever get rid of those jumper cables.” Over Ping Pong I told them how my Dad gave them to me when I was 16 and got my first car. I’ve had them for 25 years, they’re kinda dirty from being used, the plastic box is all cracked and scuffed up. Every Christmas I always see new fancier, cuter ones with zipper bags and I always go look, but something stops me from buying them. Every time I throw things in the trunk I see that box and it reminds me of my Dad and his tools, how he could fix anything and all the important life lessons that he taught me while I watched him fix whatever was broken. I tell Alicia about the Handyman whose tools were stolen and how my Dad took a 3 drawer toolbox full of tools to him so he could keep working. I’ll never get rid of them, they remind me of his kindness and goodness. OMG Yovany, all we did was jump start her car. What are we doing here????? I don’t know but let’s get bathing suits and try the waterslide before this dream ends. While the kids were on the slide I called my Mom to tell her all that had happened. I wasn’t sure if the phone would work after we left. It was almost time to sail and we were walking to the pool in the front of the ship. The kids were excited and giggling and jumping with joy. All of a sudden Chris kicked his leg up high and his flip flop sailed right overboard. Oh no, Chris just kicked off his shoe and it went overboard. My Mom said, “Chris or the shoe.” No the shoe. There were 2 ladies on lounge chairs giggling at the situation. “They’re so cute, they sure keep you busy, never a dull moment, we had kids too” they said. Did you see what he did? I laughed. “Does he have other flipflops?” they asked. “No, but I’m sure they have a giftshop either on the boat or the island.” I’m going to make him walk like that for a bit first though. I can't believe he just did that. All 4 kids are on their tiptoes at the railing. “I see it Mommy, right there, floating upside down in the water.” Yep, there it was, 9 decks down bobbing in the water upside down. “Did you see the Manatees” asked a man passing by. “Where, where” screamed the kids.” “Right at the back of the boat, they’re eating the seaweed off the ship.” How cool is that? If Chris hadn’t flipped his shoe overboard we never would have seen the manatees. Yep. It all happens for a reason. My kids are happy and full of excitement, Yovany is bouncing around with his new video camera. His cell phone is back in the room and the protein is in the ship’s freezer. Everyone’s smiling. I have no clue how we got here or where this journey is taking us, but hope is alive and I have faith that wherever we’re being carried is exactly where we need to go. It was just magical! After the pool we barely had time to shower and change before our escort, the Hotel Manager, was back to get us for dinner. The kids just loved all the VIP treatment. “Mommy, it’s the Crystal Room, we can’t go there.” Alicia said, as Kenzie happily skipped through the doorway. (We had looked online before we went at the restaurant choices and Alicia had immediately decided ‘we soooo can’t go there’ since it had glass walls and glass glasses and linen tablecloths. Ssshh, just go where they lead us and try not to break anything.) “Do you only work in the dining room or do you work at the Kids Club too?” I asked the Jester. “No, I’m the Assistant Maitre’d, I work here in the Crystal Dining Room. “OMG, they made you dress up just for Mackenzie, I’m so sorry. Well, she’s loving every minute of it. Thank you so much for making her so happy. You guys are awesome!” This poor guy had been entertaining my kids for the entire meal. A pirate came to pose for more photos. The Captain came to the table and introduced himself and promised to let Kenzie drive the ship on the trip home. The photo manager arrived with all the photos printed out moments after the pictures were taken. They printed Mackenzie’s name on them, made fancy backgrounds, blew some up, did black & whites. One was a giant calendar with Kenzie’s photo in the corner. It was one thing after another. After dinner we went to the show where the singer sang to Mackenzie. It was so cute, Kenzie sat on her knees eyes glued to the stage, only turning away to take sips of her soda. They really enjoyed the comedian and all his costume changes as he impersonated one accent after another. The kids were soooo excited to have front row seats and a Reserved sign on their table. Anthony asked, “Are we really VIP’s?” “What do you think? Do you have your own soda cup and a front row seat and are they treating you extra special?” Yes. “Are we famous too? he asked. Alicia says we’re going to ride in a limo. I giggled, “Not yet. To be famous you have to practice and practice until you’re really good at something and become known for your talent. ” It’s a lot of hard work and you have a lifetime to get there. Today, just be nice to your sister and stop beating her up or you won’t get to ride in the limo with her. The kids were full of energy so we went to find the Kids Club. Yovany and I went to the top deck to watch the waves and wonder again about how on earth we were sitting here. We arrived in the Bahamas early on Tuesday. It was so great to see the kids all snuggled up in the bed together. I tried to wake them, but they were way too tired after all the fun. Yovany’s dream of sleeping late had become a reality. Anthony got up and had some long overdue Mommy & Me time. We went to the top deck to get coffee and watch the ship come in to the port in Nassau. It was an experience of a lifetime and I was happy he got up to see it. He was more happy to let his sisters know that he was the ONLY one who got to see it AND he got Mommy & Me time. I had to remind him to be nice to his sister or he wouldn’t be riding with her in her limo. Instead of being the 1st off the ship we stayed and played on the ship until after lunch. The kids bought 300 coins to play in the game room. Yovany and I got quick massages, Chris got a haircut, Kenzie had her nails painted bright pink. We had a nice lunch on the deck and then took a golfcart to the limo. We met the port officials at the Bahamas and got stamps in the kids passports. They loved the limo ride and couldn’t stop talking about it all week long. Atlantis was out of this world. It’s huge!!! Our room was incredible, the view was spectacular. We had a giant living room, a flat screen tv and a wrap around balcony so we could see the entire hotel and all the pools and lagoons and the ocean. It had a huge master bedroom and a sleeper sofa for the kids. Just like the words that came tumbling out of my mouth the day we met Teresa. (You’re the owner? Don’t you have a room with a sofa bed so I can throw my kids on the sofa and we can all stay together? I can’t believe I actually said that to her.) But oh well, I did, and now I was standing in exactly that dream…..except the reality was far more luxurious than anything I could have imagined. The kids changed into bathing suits and off we went on a mission to swim at all 11 pools on the property. I noticed there were only 3 towels in the bathroom so I quick called the desk to ask for some more and off we went. We swam in 1 pool after another, floated in the lazy river, took pictures next to sharks and stingrays and starfish in the lagoons. The kids splashed in the ocean and played in the sand. We crossed a wooden bridge with net sides and walked above the sharks in the lagoon below. Sea creatures were everywhere. The kids put on goggles and played with the squirt toys from Teresa. To see them happy and giggling in the water again (after more than a year without being in the pool because of chemo and the incisions that refused to heal) was just priceless. Anthony kept blowing up his swim shirt and saying, “look at me Mommy, I have huge muscles.” It was so normal and they were just kids, happy, having fun, splashing and squealing in the pool. They giggled all the way along the path, whispering back and forth, and giggling some more. “We made up a new rhyme Mommy. Listen.” Kenzie said. “Tumor tumor go away. You’re not coming back to the USA” they chanted. Walking back to the room I kept thinking is this a dream? Is this real? Are we really here with Mackenzie in this beautiful place with the water and the ocean, everyone relaxed and happy? I was lost in my thoughts when Alicia asked, “Mommy, when you die can I have your jumper cables?” I started laughing. Please, please, she begged. Alicia, here’s what you need to realize and think about. What if I was alone in the parking lot with the 4 of you and the jumper cables in the trunk? Grandpa Jim gave them to me, but I don’t really know how to use them. Can you picture Mommy and Teresa jump starting the car? We needed Daddy to do it, and you to hold Christopher’s hand and keep him safe when Daddy left to move the car. No, you needed me to open my big mouth and ask her if she got to drive the ship so we could learn that she was the owner. Yeah, you’re right. You’ve got the big mouth. We needed Anthony to watch over Chris. The point is that this all worked BECAUSE we were working together as a team. Things work when everyone helps out. This all worked because we were all working together to do this for Mackenzie. When Mackenzie was first diagnosed she received a package of get well cards from my Aunt Lynn’s class. There were hundreds of cards. It took days to open them all. But there was one from a little boy who had just gone through his own health problems. It took him 2 days to finish his card. It read, “a simple act of kindness never goes unnoticed.” It wasn’t the prettiest or the fanciest. But it was so moving that it’s stuck in the back of my head forever. Exhausted and sandy, 4 pools, the lazy river and the beach under our belts, we returned to the room to shower. I had 3 kids half showered and was about to get in myself when I noticed they had yet to bring up more towels. I was a little mad when I called the desk and told them that I had called for more towels a few hours ago and they forgot. They were there in minutes. We had a pizza for dinner at the marina next to all the huge yachts then went to watch the remote control racecars at the Atlantis Speedway. Anthony was dying to build a racecar, but when the woman at the counter greeted me by saying, “You look too tired to be on vacation” and when I had to ask her twice to repeat the instructions and prices of build or rent the racecar I realized it was time to go rest. I wasn’t going to make it the 20 minutes it took to build the car. I told Anthony we’d either come back tomorrow night or buy him and Chris a racecar and a monster truck with our ToysRUs gift cards from www.ChildrenBattlingCancer.com for Christmas. As we were leaving the room, a loud excited commotion of kids in the hallway fighting over who got to push and who got to ride in the stroller, I noticed the newspaper on the floor of the door next to us. Quiet guys, these poor people are still sleeping and you’re making way to much noise. We were off to find the waterslides. So it’s Day 2 at Atlantis. I went to get beach towels and asked for 6. The attendant asked for the room key. There are only 4 people in your room. No, I have 4 kids and my husband and myself. We need 6 towels. Room 7236 right? No, 7238. You’re Susan right? Yes. You’re in a suite right? Uh, yeah. It has a living room and a really cool wrap around patio, it’s totally amazing. You gave me the key for 7236. No way. Are you telling me that we have ANOTHER room? There’s a connecting door in the room, but it was locked. Hey Yovany, I know why there were only 3 towels in the bathroom last night. We had another incredible day filled with beaches, more pools and the waterslides. The aquarium was incredible. I could have stayed there all day. There were jellyfish, eels, sharks, rays, so many beautiful fish. They had a touching area with starfish and horseshoe crabs. We took hundreds of photos. We all went in the Current, a lazy river with rapids, on inner tubes. Part of the ride took us up a conveyor belt while still on the tube. Alicia was the only one tall enough for the Power Tower waterslides. She and I walked up like 4 flights of stairs to get to the top of the pyramid. There was an amazing view from the top. “Where are the double tubes?” I asked the slide operator. “Down at the bottom in the lazy river, you have to carry them up yourself” he replied. “I have to walk down then back up again?” (My knee is not yet doing stairs well.) “You could just take the other slide down” volunteered another guest. “Is it OK for her?” I asked pointing to Alicia. “Yeah, she’ll love it” he assured me. So I sent Alicia first. The light turned green, the operator told me to keep my legs crossed, and no sooner had I entered the slide I was in a freefall, in the dark, with my contact lenses in. I would have screamed if I’d have remembered how to….then whoosh, I was underwater. Don’t open your eyes or you’ll lose the lens I was thinking as my knee bumped into something hard and pointy. I opened my eyes and saw the most beautiful aquarium like 10 feet high and 6 feet wide on my left. I was in a cave. There was another giant picture window aquarium on the other wall. Then I heard Alicia, “Mommy, I almost drowned and the lifeguard didn’t help me.” “OMG Alicia, that was crazy, are you OK? I can’t believe that guy sent us down that. That was super scary….but totally worth it. Alicia let’s not do that one again OK” We went on tubes on a waterslide that went through the shark tank. There was another tube waterslide that sent you uphill. Yovany had the other 3 in the little kid slides and water playground. It was an amazing day for everyone! On the way back we stopped at the desk and asked if we were in 7236. Yes, you have a 2 bedroom suite, the key works both doors. What a great surprise, just when you think it can’t get any better than this it does. Up we went to find ANOTHER huge room with 2 queen beds....... and a whole bunch of towels. The kids took a vote and decided they wanted to go back to the ship early rather than spending the last day at Atlantis. They also voted to sleep late. There was so much to do on the ship and everyone was spoiling them rotten. We called the limo and moved up our return. Kenzie decided she’d let me go one last time to the aquarium in the morning to take more photos. She told me I deserved a special treat. I got up early and enjoyed coffee on the wrap around patio watching the stingrays and the waterfalls. It was so peaceful and beautiful. I saw the Bahamas Celebration Cruise in the distance just coming in to the port. That was really cool! I watched as it disappeared behind the monstrous tower of Atlantis…and then noticed a lighthouse in the distance through the arch in the building that I hadn’t seen before. We arrived back to the ship and were greeted by Uncle Sam (the amazing Asst Maitre’d) with a huge smile and arms wide open with a huge hug for Mackenzie. He looked phenomenal in his red, white & blue outfit against the white and blue of the ship. The Hotel Manager was there to greet us and welcome us back to the ship. He was like the Grandpa they'll never have, always there with a big smile and a fantastic surprise or a special treat. On the elevator ride up I told Uncle Sam the story of being pregnant with Anthony soon after my Dad died. He was due on the 4th of July. In early June I went to the hospital having bad contractions and was sent back home. I was thinking of my Dad on the drive home and how he had always said he’d love to be in the delivery room to see a baby being born. He told me that he and his best friend made a pact that if heaven and angels were real, whover died first would send the other a sign. I was sad because he had died the night I arrived home after giving birth to Alicia (and the nurses wouldn’t let a newborn into the ICU). We turned the corner and there, laying in the middle of the street, was this giant Uncle Sam hat (in June, many weeks before the 4th of July). I knew it was a sign that he was still with us, just like all the tools that kept appearing on the road in front of my car after he died. We went back to get the hat. Anthony was born on June 25th, he came fast when it was time, and both the Dr and my Mom, carrying a sleeping Alicia, entered the delivery room literally a minute before Anthony made his entrance into the world. A LifeFlight helicopter landed on the roof during the delivery. (My Dad’s sister who also died of cancer was a LifeFlight nurse and started the program in TX and CA). I was sure they were there with me that day, and were responsible for my Mom unexpectedly walking into the delivery room to witness the event. (She did not want to or intend to be there for the birth. She was stopping by to say hi on the way to take Alicia to the mall playground.) And driving home with a new baby buckled in the carseat, guess what we saw? A smiling, waving, Uncle Sam holding one of those big yellow arrows to lead you into their business. So Uncle Sam (the Asst Maitre’d) escorted us back to the room where we found a Welcome Home sign, candy for the kids, a fruit basket and snacks and more of those cool, fancy, animal sculpture towels. This time I got a picture before Anthony got a hold of them. They even washed our dirty clothes while we were gone, even though I told them they didn't need to . The kids went to the pool & the waterslide while I went for an hour massage. Then we switched and Yovany got a massage. We met a nice man who kept talking to Anthony by the elevator and again by the bar. Anthony wouldn’t say a word, just kept hiding his face. He’s the most hyper kid (we’re sure he has ADHD). He just bounces and giggles through life, hopping and spinning and giggling non-stop…but every once in awhile he gets shy with adults. The kids were in the pool when it was time to sail. They led us to the bridge and we watched as the ropes came up. Captain Peter and crew were great to the kids. We learned about the pilot boat and watched as the Pilot climbed down a ladder on the side of the ship to get back to his boat. The kids sat in the Captains chair and wore his hat and once we were past the rocks they each took a turn driving the ship. The view from the bridge of the rocks and the lighthouse, with Atlantis in the background was spectacular. It was an incredible experience, one we'll never forget!!!!! We barely had time to change before dinner. The day went so fast. We arrived at the Crystal dining room to a table for 8. Our companions were a Christopher sized teddy bear and a big huge puppy dog. There were baskets of chocolates at both ends of the table. Kenzie sat next to the puppy and stuffed wrapped candies into his mouth. It was very cute! The centerpiece was another elaborate fruit carving, a melon with kissing swans with grapes inside. The outside was carved to look like feathers. They brought Brazilian steaks and meats on a long skewer and cut them there at the table. The meat was delicious! Mackenzie & Uncle Sam disappeared into the kitchen again to visit all her new friends. Christopher was under the table for most of the meal, snatching the napkins off our laps and giggling with glee every time he got one. He was pushing them out under the glass wall, into the aisle on the other side where I couldn’t reach them. The kids went to the show and were delighted to have their reserved seats again. When the performer came out I started laughing….it was the nice man who kept talking to Anthony at the pool earlier. He was the comedian and he was hilarious! Half way through the show Anthony excitedly ran up and told me “Mommy, that’s the man who kept talking to me. I know him. He’s famous. He’s really funny too.” He came off the stage, right up to our table and with the spotlight on Kenzie, he said, "Look, we have kids in the audience, let's make them feel at home." Then he sang the Barney song, "I love you, you love me..." It was so special. I wish you could have seen her smile. Alicia has been repeating his jokes to everyone she sees. The kids just loved him. After the show Kenzie asked me for one of her ‘pray for my cure’ cards and danced off to meet him. He said he just signed a one year contract with HBO so maybe you’ll see him someday. I hope so, he’s great! His name is Steve Zimmerman. As we packed up to leave we decided to ask the Hotel Manager for a favor. We had had such a great time and he had told us the staff did too. They don't get to do this very often. We left the giant puppy and the bear, our surprise dinner companions, and all but one of the stuffed towel animals on the desk in the room. When we were off the boat we told him and asked him to find another child someday and surprise them, make them smile with happiness the way you did for Kenzie. You guys were amazing! Please do this again someday. He smiled and granted her wish. Mackenzie was adorable in her new pink t-shirt that said 'I sailed the Celebration Cruiseline' and matching striped, hooded sweatshirt with the Cruise logo. She's worn them every day since. We kept trying to go to the giftshop, but every time we went the ship was in port and they were closed. Close to midnight there was a knock on the door and more gifts arrived from the staff, stuffed animals, candy, medals, fancy pineapple shaped drinkcups that could also be used as a coin bank. Everyone was determined to show her how special and loved she was and spoil her beyond her wildest dream. The night we got home my Mom called to tell me she had seen the tail end of a news story on the Bahamas Celebration Cruise. This is the greatest news ever. Starting March 1st this ship is coming to Palm Beach and will be offering 2, 4 or 6 night cruises to the Bahamas. I’ve seen the tv commercials all day long while I’ve been typing, the Bahamas Celebration Cruiseline is coming to Palm Beach. We can’t wait! They are great! |
