Saving the Magic (with Cam and Luke plus Morgan) COMPLETED About This Page:

[Cam22]

Sunday, June 3 Part 1

The alarm went off promptly at 6:30, but I lay in bed for 15 more minutes. This was not a trip I was necessarily looking forward to. I had first awoken at 2 AM and didn’t fall back asleep until almost 4 AM, anxious and excited both. June made us a pancake breakfast, and then finished packing Morgan. We loaded the car and exchanged goodbye hugs. By 8:20 we were on the road. I tried updating my status on Facebook, but failed when the app closed unexpectedly 40 minutes into my writing.

We arrived at Executive Travel and Parking around 10:00, and our bags were immediately loaded into a shuttle. We were off to BNA, the Nashville airport. We chose Express Bag Check as we had already printed our boarding passes on Saturday. After a restroom break, we passed through security where the couple in front of us decided to check one more bag. They hoped the wife could wait with their stuff that they had already piled into bins. The answer to that question was NO! But they had bottlenecked the line in the process. Once they were out of the way, we could load our stuff into the bins. Luke went through the big scanner, but since Morgan was 11, she and I went through the smaller one. The security person called her my daughter, something that will happen over and over this trip, making me smile and grimace both as I was missing “my” daughter the entire time.

We walked and walked until the end of the terminal at Gate 25. I kept the bags while Luke and Morgan returned to Burger King for lunch. This would be Morgan’s first experience eating at Burger King. So many new adventures for our niece were in store. I met a newlywed couple going to Orlando for their honeymoon while Luke and Morgan were getting lunch. The wife was nervous as this was her first flight, just like Morgan.

I had the BK Select Burger, fries, and a Dr. Pepper in honor of Stefanie; Luke had an original chicken sandwich, fries, and a Coke; and for Morgan’s first BK meal, she had a Tender Crisp chicken sandwich, fries, and a water. With our food consumed, we were just waiting.


Our stack of carry on case waiting to board the plane.


Checking out the plane at the gate.


We’re going to Disney!


Returning from the mandatory bathroom stop before boarding.

Southwest began boarding around 11:30. The ticket taker was both surprised and thrilled to be getting a gift. Morgan was anxious and excited about her first flight. We were met by the flight attendant who escorted Morgan to the cockpit to give the pilot his goodie bag in person. Cool! Later the flight attendant came by our seats to thank us, and she and I shed a few tears. Seats 8 ABC were quite comfy with the engine right outside Luke’s window.


Ear plugs are in and so is the smile.


Ready to fly!


Luke’s smiling, too!

Once we took off, we heard lots of “Whoas” from Morgan as she declared flying was not scary and not too bad. She thought it was so cool when we flew through the clouds and then above them. She even asked at one point if that was Hawaii down below.




Carpet of clouds


Not Hawaii


Just plane and sky


Easy to see we were right at the engine



Morgan had gotten a flight kit with wings, coloring book, and the neatest coloring pencil with 4 colors (red, yellow, green, and blue).



One of the flight attendants read my note out loud and asked for a round of applause for our thoughtfulness, and my eyes brimmed over with tears. Luke got a free Chardonnay in response to the goodie bags while I chose a Dr. Pepper (still thinking of Stefanie). Morgan chose a coke. When the drinks arrived we were also given three bags of peanuts. Morgan completed the book except for coloring one picture because as the pencil dulled, it became difficult to color. At one point while coloring, Morgan looked out the window and then at me, asking, “Are we in space?” I had so forgotten what an 11 year old was like, but I was totally enjoying it, too. Morgan kept me smiling!

Our flight was easy, breezy. Morgan’s final opinion of her first flight – two thumbs up! As we exited the plane, one of the pilots gave Morgan a goodie bag, including a lint roller, two decks of playing cards, a security alarm, key chain, and two luggage tags. I felt bad as they mistakenly called her Stefanie.

Next: A Near Miss and A Close Encounter

[triddle67]

I can't wait to hear more of your adventures. I am glad Morgan enjoyed her first flight.

[dwonderz]

Already sounds like an incredible journey Cam. I cannot wait to hear more!

Keeping you uplifted in prayers !

[Peanut_mommy]

Definitely subbed, Cam. *hugs*

[sc507]

I'm so happy to see that you've started your TR. I can't even begin to imagine how difficult this morning was for you, but I am happy to see that Morgan is helping you through with her sweet smiles and questions

[OhToodles!]

I'm so glad you started. Sounds like it's going ok so far. The tears are understandable. I'm glad you & Luke had Morgan with you on this trip. I just love how excited she is about everything and was happy I got to witness it myself.

[taylan1]

I am so glad that you started your TR. Both the smiles and the tears have already started but so looking forward to the rest of this!

[sfjsmith]

Great start to your report. I admire your strength and I hope writing this TR is therapeutic for you. I enjoyed your previous TRs and I know this trip and the TR are a tribute to your angel and filled with her spirit that lives on in you

[valegirl5292]

Great start Cam, glad that Morgan enoyed her first airplane ride ever. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of your journey.

[cajunlace]

I am so glad Morgan had a good experience for her first flight.

[Kenny]

Great flight! I'm glad Morgan had a good flight and you and Luke were able to enjoy Morgan's "little girl excitement" in all the new experiences for her. That is something that is so precious to be a part of.

[Cheriemek]

Hawaii! Ha! Glad that you have started this trip report.

[Shawnam1868]

I'm so glad you started your report. Glad Morgan enjoyed her first plane ride

[disneydani]

Love Morgan's unbridled enthusiasm...glad it was a smooth flight and that the goodie bags were appreciated by the crew.

Danielle

[dutchdisneyfamily]

Tears and smiles here too. That was funny about the "not Hawaii" picture. I'm glad you are sharing this, though it has to be hard. I am looking forward to reading more.