A few weeks ago my mother and I took Kajal to Orlando... yep, we took my little girl, home only five months from an orphanage in India, to Disney World. Call me crazy, but I just couldn't resist. Well, it was rather spontaneous. My mother and I share ownership in a time share and we had an unused week from a few years ago that we could either use or lose it. I couldn't see throwing it away and Orlando was easy to get to, in country (my mother was worried about travelling with Kajal outside of the country since she doesn't have her citizenship yet... although she does now have her Green Card) and my sister and her family could join us for part of the trip as they live in Clearwater, just a few hours away.  Perfect, Kajal could meet family and Mickie... all in the same trip.

Kajal was in heaven. From the beautiful pools at the resort we stayed in, to the parade of Disney characters at the Magic Kingdom... it was once action filled adventure after another. Kajal loved the pool, she's a born fish and would stay in the water from morning until night. Her lips could be turning blue and shaking but she'd claim she wasn't cold... she swam and swam, filled with pure joy and excitement.

The magic of Disney seen through any child's eyes is amazing, truly incredible. Seen through the eyes of a child who has lived in a world of sparsity and hunger, it is awe inspiring. From the ever wondrous 'It's a Small World' ride  (still my favorite and Kajal just kept saying, mommy more? mommy more! as we rounded each corner in the little boats and saw another part of the world represented by dancing puppets) to the flying dumbo ride, she was full of wonder. The day was one incredible memory after another and we shared the day with her cousin Sam and Aunt Lizzie. We purchased a pair of pink Minnie Ears, complete with Kajal's name on them and gazed upon Mickie and all his friends in the park's daily magical parade. Kajal oohed and ah'd and waved hello to all the Disney Characters. They were truly alive in her eyes and mind, as real as you or I.

At the end of the day, as we were leaving the park we heard music and Mickies voice. We followed the noise to the front of Cinderella's castle and there before us was a live show, with Mickie and all the Disney princesses. On the stage was one of the Disney witches (I can never keep them straight) and she was as real and creepy as in any film (all the characters were so perfectly done, they appeared as if they had stepped right off the big screen) Mickie was saying to the crowd that for dreams to come true, all we have to do is believe.  He waved his arms and thousands of people watching the show yelled "I believe, I believe that dreams come true" I picked Kajal up in my arms and said, come on Kajal, let's yell too... 'We believe!" so we both continued to yell at the top of our lungs "I believe, I believe! I believe that dreams come true!" In a flash of smoke the witch was vanquished and fireworks went off in the sky. Kajal's mouth hung open, her eyes wide with a combination of excitement, fear (of the witch) and joy... in the magic of it all.

A few days later, I was reading Kajal her night time stories, curled up in the hotel bed. Kajal looked up at me and said softly, Mommy, the dangers not coming here. I was stunned and thrilled, my baby was feeling safe. Yes, honey, you're right... the danger isn't coming here. The dangers not coming again... she thought for a few minutes, quietly, I could see the wheels turning. She looked up at me again and whispered, the dangers going to Mickie's house.

My baby was feeling safe... and Disney helped me in more ways than I ever could have imagined. Thank you, Mickie Mouse.

Kajal and I right after the 'I believe show' now looking back at this photo, I can see the wheels turning


Posing in Dumbo

Look Mommy, it's Mickies Duck friend!

Riding the Disney Carousel
Look at that beautiful smile!