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The Magical Graduation Gift
My senior year of high school was drawing to a close.  I was upstairs in my room studying for my final History exam when my mother came up and knocked on the door.  I called for her to come in.  She came in and handed me a letter. 
“This is for you Angel,” she said.  I laid the History of the Modern World aside and turned my full attention to the envelope I now held in my hand.  Who cares about the Civil War anyway?   I carefully removed the Minnie Mouse sticker that was holding the flap down and handed it to Mom.  She put it in the sticker book that was on my desk.
“Someone must know how much I like Disney things,” I thought.  I looked at the postmark “Orlando FL.”  The letter was from my cousin Spark.  Well, his given name is Doyle but he doesn’t like it very much so everyone in the family calls him Spark.  He’s my mother’s first cousin and an employee of Walt Disney World Resort.  Knowing that he wasn’t much of a letter writer I was surprised; the fact that we saw each other once every two years didn’t help in my quest for answers either.
“What is he writing to me for?” I asked my mother.  She just smiled.
“Open the letter and see,” was all she would say but her eyes told me the she knew more than what she was telling, had she opened my letter?
I took out the contents of the envelope.  It contained an airline ticket and a neatly handwritten letter in cousin Spark’s own hand.  I was totally confused now and looked toward my mother for some sort of explanation, but none came.  I set the letter aside and stared at the airline ticket in disbelief, thinking that I was dreaming.
“What’s this all about?” I finally asked.
“Read the letter and see,” my mother instructed.  I laid the ticket aside and picked up the single white sheet.  The first thing I noticed was the greeting.  Spark had called me Tinkerbell for as long as I could remember; he said it was because I reminded him of the pixie in Disney’s classic animated feature Peter Pan.  I was somewhat tiny for my seventeen years with a slender 5’ frame.  I had inherited my mother’s chocolate brown spiral curls, dark eyes and dazzling smile.  Everyone called me Angel or Princess, but only Spark called me Tinkerbell and I called him Magic Maker.
Dear Tinkerbell,
A little bird tells me that you will be graduating from high school this spring.  Since Rose and I can’t make it to commencement we’ve decided to do the next best thing and bring you down here to Florida to spend a couple of weeks with us, what do you say my dear?  I have made arrangements for you to receive a five-day pass to Disney World.  This pass will give you five days of unlimited access to Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, Disney MGM Studios, Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island, and the three water parks.  We’ll also take you to Cyprus Gardens, Sea World, Tampa Bay, Cape Canaveral, and Universal Studios if you want to go, we’ll do whatever you wish this is your trip you call the shots.  Don’t worry about spending money either.  If you see something you want just tell me and you will have it.  I have Visa Gold card with a $5,000 limit, LOL! 
I looked up from the letter and smiled at my mother my eyes were shining as if someone had just handed me a million dollars.
“Is he serious?” I asked.  She nodded.
“He called Daddy and me a couple weeks ago and asked our permission to fly you down there.  We knew that you wouldn’t turn him down, so we said yes.”  I laughed; the way Mom was putting it one would of thought Spark had asked permission to marry me or something.  This is your dream, reach out and realize it while you’re still a child.”
“I can’t go,” I said.  “I can’t let him spend so much money on me.”
“Don’t worry Angel, he wants to do it; just go have a good time.”  I smiled and she returned it.  “Come now, finish the letter I’m anxious to hear the rest of it.”
My eyes were sparkling as I returned to the letter that was giving me the gift that I wanted more than anything in the world; I smiled as I read the last paragraph.
Enclosed is your plane ticket, both Rose and I will meet you at Orlando International Airport on Monday, May 5th.  We won’t board the plane though so you’ll have to look for us.  I’ll use your nickname Tinkerbell so you’ll know it’s me.  We’re looking forward to spending two weeks having fun in the sun with you.  See you soon!
With all our love,
Magic Maker and Rose Marie
I looked up again my eyes still shining like Pittsburgh at night.
“So I can go?” I asked.  Mom came over and sat down on the bed.
“Of course, I couldn’t hold this from you, just go have a good time that’s all I ask.”  I smiled at her.  “You’re leaving this Monday,” she said.
“Well if I’m leaving Monday I’d better get packed,” I said, moving toward the closet where my luggage set was kept.  My mother stopped me.
“No,” she said.  I stopped midstride and turned to look at her.
“What do you mean no?” I asked.  “If I’m getting on a plane I have to get a suitcase ready.”  My mother looked at me evenly.
“Angelica I already did it,” she said slowly.  I looked at her in wonder.
“You what, how?”
“I knew you wouldn’t turn a trip to Florida down, so when Spark called us a few weeks ago I went up to the attic, brought down your summer clothes, and packed your big suitcase.”
“But some of my summer clothes are too small,” I protested.  My mom put her hand on my shoulder.
“Quiet Angel,” she said softly.  “I knew some of your clothes were too small so I went to the mall the other day after getting some money out of your checking account and bought you some new outfits.  I found some really cute short sets; I also bought you a new swimsuit, the one that you have now is too small and even if it wasn’t you have to admit that it’s too childish.  I found a really cute multi-colored one with a Mickey icon on it that will fit you fine.”  I knew she was right about my swimsuit, but she had found one that looked grown up but still had the childlike quality I loved.  She smiled at me.  “I knew you wouldn’t turn Tampa Bay down that’s why I bought it,” she said.  I nodded.  “Some of your summer clothes still fit though, so I made sure that I put in your summer dress suit and two of the white dresses you love so well.”  She was the best mother in the world I ran to hug her.
“But what about school?”  I queried.
“I took care of that too.  They said you deserve it, not to worry about anything, and you can catch up on things when you get back; you shouldn’t miss much seeing its close to the end of the year and your class will be taking off on their class trip soon anyway,” she assured me.  It seemed that everything was taken care of and all I had to do was go have fun in the sun.  I smiled at my mother and she smiled back at me.  I picked up the letter and plane ticket and ran off to find and show them to my father.
I found him sitting in the living room downstairs watching TV.  He took me on his lap and held me close.  He knew what was making my eyes sparkle.
“I’ll miss you Angel,” he said.  “Be a good girl, have a great time, and live up to your name sweetheart, be a little angel.”  Mom was crossing into the kitchen to make supper.  She smiled when she heard my father’s words.
“Now Austin, no one can be a little angel, but our young lady comes awfully close.”  She stroked my dark brown curls and smiled at me.   I flushed slightly.
The following Monday we were up early, I was to catch an early flight so I would arrive in Orlando at a decent hour and not be dead on my feet when I got there even though Spark and Rose hadn’t planned anything big.
“I think you’re going to go see your Grandma in Frostproof, but she doesn’t know you’re coming all Spark told her was to have the beach set ready.”
“What do you mean?”  I asked.
“Your beach things Angelica, Spark bought you a sand play set,” she told me.  I didn’t know it, neither did my mom, but there was another surprise waiting for me when we arrived at the airport.
While we were waiting for the plane to come I was watching the people hurry back and forth either to catch outgoing flights or greet incoming ones.  All of a sudden I saw someone that I was sure I had seen before on the ice of the Mellon Arena, he was a young man of about twenty-nine, with dark hair and blue eyes.  I tugged on my dad’s sleeve with excitement.
“Isn’t that, it couldn’t be, but isn’t that Mario Lemieux?”  My dad looked in the direction my finger was pointing.
“Could be and he’s coming this way,” he said smiling at me.  As the man got closer I realized that it was Mario, beside him was his wife Nathalie as blond and pretty as ever, and there were four children three girls and a boy.   I remembered then that Mario and Nathalie now had a fourth child a girl who they had named Alexa.
They came and sat down right beside us; I could hardly contain myself.  My father kept his hand on my arm as if to say, “Easy Angel, easy.”  Mario addressed me.
“Hello, what’s your name?”
“I’m Angelica,” I said softly.
“Nice to meet you Angelica,” he said with a smile.  I knew that smile well and it served to confirm my guess as to his identity.  “I usually don’t tell people this in public places, but I’ll give you my real name, I’m Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh Penguins captain and superstar."” I couldn’t believe my ears, I had been right!
“I love Penguins hockey and you’re my favorite player,” I told him.  Nathalie smiled as if to say, “I told you so.”  I guess they had noticed my sweatshirt.  I was wearing a Penguins sweatshirt because it was still a little nippy in Pittsburgh. Mario smiled, “This is my wife Nathalie and our four children Lauren, Stephanie, Austin, and our new little girl Alexa.”  I could tell by the way he beamed at them that he loved his wife and children; I knew also that he saw in his young son the makings of a NHL superstar who would someday take up the crown that his father wore so well.
“I’m pleased to meet you,” I said, giving them my best smile.  “Where are you headed?”  Mario returned my smile.
“Miami, I’m going to go do some golfing, you?”
“Orlando, I’m going to see a cousin of mine,” I told him.  He looked at my parents and asked them if they were going to accompany me.
“No she’s going alone, this is a graduation gift from her cousin,” my mother informed him.  When he heard that Mario offered to watch out for me on my trip.
“When are you coming home Angelica?” he asked me.
“In two weeks,” I said looking at my ticket.
“Let’s see your ticket,” Mario said.  I handed it to him.  ”Yep, we’re on the same plane coming and going,” he said, he seemed pleased.  He looked at my seat assignment, “Hey, you’re right with us we have rows four, five, and six seat A.; you have row six seat B.” I couldn’t believe my good fortune I would be traveling with my favorite sports star.  It did surprise me however that he was traveling coach instead of First Class, “Maybe to get away from his superstardom,” I thought and let the matter drop.
The boarding call finally came, Mom and Dad hugged me quickly, and Mom gave Mario a piece of paper.
“This is the name that her cousin will use when she arrives in Orlando so she’ll know who he is.”  Mario took the paper, read it, and a smile flitted across his face.
“Got it,” he said.  Mom gave me one last squeeze and smiled.
“Be a good girl Angel and call us when you get to Spark’s.” I promised that I would.  Mom turned back to Mario, “Thank you I was afraid to let her travel alone.”  Mario took my hand protectively in his.
“Glad to do it she’ll be fine no one would dare hurt her believe me; I’ll protect her as if she was one of my own children and she’ll be returned to you safely in two weeks, I promise,” with a smile my mother stepped back.  Mario picked up my carry on and said, “Come Angel, let’s go to Florida,” with that he took my hand and led me up the jetway.
During the two-hour flight we talked about hockey and our families, by the end of the flight I felt as if I had known the Lemieux family for years.
“By the way when we get back to Pittsburgh why don’t you and your family join us for dinner at our house in Sewickley,” Mario suggested.  I looked up at him in amazement, had I heard him right?
“Are you sure you want us to come?”  I asked.  Mario smiled, “Of course if I didn’t I wouldn’t ask, besides you don’t look like one of those nosey fans,” he was laughing now and I laughed too.
“No, I won’t bother your Art Ross trophies,” I assured him.  Mario flushed.
“Those things, they’re so old.”
“What about the 1997 scoring championship?”  I challenged him.  He smiled.
“Pure luck, Jarmior just didn’t have a good year that’s all.”
“That was not luck, you’re the best player in the NHL and you know it,” I said loyally.  Mario was red now, “Angel if you don’t stop.”  “All right, I’ll stop, may I hold Alexa?”  Mario smiled, nodded, and passed me his newborn daughter.  I took the baby from her father and held her close.  She was a sweetheart.  She looked just like her mother with the same golden hair and blue eyes.  “You’ll be a beauty queen someday,” I whispered to the sleeping child, she woke up and smiled at me.  She had the makings of her father’s smile, charming and captivating.
When we arrived in Orlando Mario and Nathalie helped me get my luggage together and waited with me until Spark got there.  We had been waiting for about 5  minutes when I heard someone call, “Tinkerbell!”  I knew it was Spark, but I looked over at Mario to check.  He pulled the piece of paper that my mother had given him out of his pocket, unfolded it, and read it.
“Yep, that’s the code name, is that your cousin?”  I looked again, it was!  I forgot everything I had ever been taught about etiquette and ran across the airport to meet him halfway, when I reached him he lifted me right off the floor and held me close.
“Tinkerbell!”
“Spark?”
“Yes it’s me, are you all right?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” I assured him; he smiled and set me back down.  Mario came up.
“You must be Spark,” he said.  Spark nodded.
“I am and you are?”
“I’m Mario Lemieux, Pittsburgh Penguins captain and superstar; I met Angel at the airport.  When I saw that we were going in the same direction I asked if I could be her traveling companion, make sure she got here safely and safely back to Pittsburgh when she’s ready to return.”
“Thank you Mario,” Spark said softly.  He turned his attention back to me.  “Now come Angel, Rose is waiting for us; why are you wearing a sweatshirt girl, it’s hot?”
“I know, but it was still a little cool in Pittsburgh,” I told him.  He understood.
Mario put his hand on my shoulder.
“Will you need any more help Angel?” he asked.
“No I should be all right now, thank you, you go enjoy your golf,” I instructed him with a smile.  He gave me one that matched it, took his wife’s hand, I gave her Alexa who I had been holding, and then they left us.
“Now we’ll get you changed into something more suitable for this weather,” Spark said.  I had no objection.
Rose met us at the baggage claim; she was exuberant.
“How are you Angel?” she asked.
“Tired, but happy to be here,” I said.  Rose looked at my sweatshirt.
“No wonder you’re tired you’re probably burning up, let’s get you out of that.”  She took me into the ladies room and quicker then I could have said Mickey Mouse she had me out of my sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks, and tennis shoes and into a T-shirt, shorts and jelly sandals.  “There, that should be more comfortable,” she said.  It was.  Spark had pulled the truck up to the door for us; he’d already put my suitcase in the back.
“Up we go my love,” he said as he lifted me into the truck.  He set me between him and Rose.  “All set?” he asked.  I nodded, he climbed in beside me and we left.
We drove into Frostproof to see my grandmother; Spark had planned this as a surprise. When we got there Spark lifted me down from the truck.
“Now you stay here until I tell you, when I look towards you then you can come to me, understood?”
“Yes sir, I understand,” I told him.
“Good girl,” he said patting me on the shoulder then he went up to the door.  At his knock Grandma opened it.
“Hello Doyle,” she said, her smile covering her whole face.  Spark returned it.
“Hello Aunt Fern are the beach things ready?”
“Yes, but I’m still curious who you bought them for, why did you buy them?”
“I have a special visitor,” Spark said smiling.  He looked towards me then, I knew that was my cue so I took one step towards him.  As I did I slipped the heat was too much everything started to go black; I screamed and Spark whirled around.  “Angelica, Angel, don’t go out are you OK!”  Rose jumped down from the truck and ran over to me.
“Is she all right Doyle?” she asked, her face was white.  Spark picked me up gently and carried me into the house.
“It’s just the heat I think, she’ll be all right,” he assured her.  He turned to Grandma.  “May I lay her down for a few minutes Aunt Fern?”
“Certainly,” Grandma said, leading the way to the bedroom.  Spark laid me down.
“There, do you have a fan Aunt Fern?”  Grandma brought him a small fan; he plugged it in, and put the cool air on my flushed face.  She also brought him some cool water to sponge my face.
“Let me do it,” begged Rose.
“No, you go help Aunt Fern,” Spark instructed her.  Grandma smiled.
“There’s really nothing I need help with, I’ve already started supper so if both of you want to stay with Angel, it’s all right; by the way do you want to stay for supper?”
“We’ll ask Angel when she wakes up,” Spark said.  Grandma agreed.
After about fifteen minutes I woke up.
“Are you all right Princess?”  Spark asked, his face ashen.
“I’m fine, just a little warm,” I assured him.  He relaxed visibly.  I gave him my hand and he helped me to a sitting position.  “I hope that this doesn’t ruin anything,” I said.  Spark laughed.
“No, of course not, but it does tell me that you’re delicate and I’d better be extra careful.  I should have known that this might happen because your body hasn’t had a chance to adjust to the warmer temperatures.”  I laughed.
“Hey, just because I fainted once doesn’t mean I can’t handle this weather.  I love it!”  Spark laughed and helped me to my feet.
“Would you like to stay for supper, Aunt Fern invited us.”  I nodded.
“Sure, that would be fun.”  We went to the kitchen.  “Aunt Fern is Dad around?”
“Yes, would you like to see him?”
“Can he come too?”
“I never thought of that and as far as Beaner’s concerned yes they can both come.  We’ll have a picnic outside, it’s so nice tonight.”
“And much cooler too,” Spark said with a look at me.  I understood it and smiled.  When dinner was almost ready Grandma called Spark’s father, my great uncle John and her sister Emily who everyone called Beaner; they both came and for four hours we ate, played games and caught up on family news under a cloudless Florida sky.
About nine o’clock Spark said, “I think we’d better get going.”
“Where’s Angel staying?”  Grandma asked.
“She’s staying with Rose and I, we’ll be taking her to Disney World for five days, maybe Cape Canaveral, Cyprus Gardens, Sea World, Universal Studios, and Tampa Bay if she wants to go.”
“Wow you have quite an itinerary for this young lady,” said Uncle John.
“No it’s her decision, I’m just giving her options that’s all.”  Uncle John smiled.
“Well, hopefully we’ll see you,” he said.
“I’ll bring her up sometime,” Spark promised.  Uncle John nodded.
“You take care of her, you hear me Doyle, and she’s Melissa’s treasure.”
“I know and right now she’s a sleepy little angel so I’d better get her home.”  I had fallen asleep with my head pillowed against Uncle John’s shoulder.
“You’re right about that,” he said smiling.  I didn’t even move as he passed me to his youngest son.  “She’s in your charge now, take care of her,” he said.  Spark nodded, smiled, and carried me out to the truck.  I didn’t even move as I was put down.  Rose sat in the back seat with me, my head in her lap.
“She’s so exhausted, so tired Doyle, maybe we shouldn’t make her go out tomorrow just give her the day to rest.”
“I agree with you Rose,” Spark said.  Rose pulled me close.
“I’ve always wanted a daughter to spoil,” she mused. Spark smiled.
“Well, we will spoil her a bit, but I don’t think it will do her any harm Melissa and Austin have raised her well.”  He reached back to stroke my hair with one hand as he drove with the other and smiled at his wife.  “You have a daughter for two weeks my darling enjoy her.”  Rose fully intended to.  She smiled.
“Angel, you’ll be treated like a princess while you’re here with us,” she told my sleeping form.  Spark smiled his agreement.
“You’re right about that my dear,” he said.
When we reached home Spark took me from Rose.
“I’ll take her to her room you go get her nightgown and bed ready,” he told her.  Rose nodded and disappeared into the house.  “There now Princess,” he said as he lifted me; I didn’t even stir.  He carried me into the house, up the stairs, into my room, and laid me gently on the bed.  In one swift movement Rose had me out of my T-shirt and shorts and into a nightgown.  Spark picked me up again and she pulled the covers back.
“Lay her down,” she said, knowing that Spark wouldn’t do it unless he was told to.  Spark gently laid me between the sheets and Rose tucked me in.
“Good night Princess, sweet dreams,” she said softly.  She kissed me on the forehead and swiftly and silently left the room.  Spark stayed a little while longer.  He sat with me for about five minutes and said, “Good night my sweet little sleeping angel, I’ll see you in the morning.”   Then he too rose, kissed me on the forehead, and as silently as he had entered left the room closing the door softly behind him so that he wouldn’t waken me. After he shut the door he burst into laughter.
“Hush, you’ll wake Angel,” Rose warned.
“I doubt that,” Spark said, still laughing.
“What’s so funny?”  Rose asked.
“Oh, just something that happened when I called her parents.”
“And what was that?” Rose asked with interest.
“When I called Austin and Melissa to ask permission to bring Angel down here Melissa said that she wanted pictures of Angel and I; when I asked how she wanted us posed Austin said that Angel wouldn’t mind if I kissed her.”  Rose looked up at Spark with a shocked look on her face.
“Doyle Glenn!”  Spark put his finger to his lips.
“Quiet now, you’ll wake her and don’t worry I won’t.”
“You’d better not,” Rose said laughing, because she knew that she wouldn’t mind at all if he did.
The next day a kiss on the forehead awoke me.
“Good morning Tinkerbell,” were the first words I heard, it was Spark’s voice.  I struggled to get myself awake, where was I?  Spark’s face quickly came into focus and I realized where I was.  I was in Orlando for two weeks vacation; it was time to have fun. I extended my hand to Spark and he assisted me to a sitting position.  “Are you hungry?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“Then, I’ll leave so that you can get dressed; just put on your housecoat and slippers for now we’ll get you dressed for the day later.”  I nodded and he left so that I could dress in privacy.  I put on my housecoat and slippers, brushed my teeth, and went to join them for breakfast.
“Good morning Angel,” Rose greeted me.
“Good morning Rose,” I returned.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.  I nodded and she set me down to a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and fresh squeezed Florida orange juice.  It was so good, especially the orange juice.  After I had eaten I excused myself and went to my room to prepare for the day.
“What do you want to do today Angel?”  Spark asked me when I reappeared.
“I thought we already decided that she needs today to rest,” Rose said.
“No, really I’m fine,” I insisted.
“So what do you want to do?  Sea World, Cyprus Gardens, Tampa Bay, Cape Canaveral, Universal, Disney, what?”  It was a tough choice, but after a few minutes of deliberation I settled on Cyprus Gardens.  Spark smiled at Rose and said, “See I told you she’d go out today, she’s not one to sit still.”
Our day at Cyprus Gardens flew by; it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen.  The gardens were full of flowers, some of which I had never seen before.  I exclaimed over each flower I saw and Spark and Rose watched me with smiles of joy and contentment.  They bought me a dish garden to brighten my dormitory room at college.  When the day was over Spark said to Rose, “See I knew that she’d like it here.”  Rose smiled and patted his arm.
“I’m sorry, you were right and I was wrong,” she said apologetically.  Spark smiled and the look in his eyes seemed to say, “Thank you very much my dear.”  Both Rose and I laughed at the look.
The next day, Wednesday we went to Disney World.  As soon as we crossed the archway the magic of the place began to affect me.  I laid aside the cares of the 17-year-old soon to be college freshman and took up my six-year-old mentality.  I was once again a child in the business of having fun.
“Where to Tinkerbell?  Spark asked.  “Epcot, Magic Kingdom, MGM, River Country USA, Discovery Island?”  We chose Epcot, Disney’s science and history center that combined academic subject matter with imagination and fun.
When we arrived at Epcot Center we had to wait for Rose to use the ladies room so Spark and I sat enjoying the Florida sun and getting a bit of a tan.  I saw a man coming towards us; he was wearing a Disney name badge so it wasn’t hard to see that he was one of Spark’s coworkers.  Spark stood and waved to him.
“Hello Doyle, aren’t you off for a couple of weeks?” the man asked.  Spark nodded.  “Then what on earth are you doing here?  If I was on vacation for a couple weeks I wouldn’t be here,” his attitude and tone frightened me.  Spark smiled.
“I have a special reason for being here my cousin is here from Pittsburgh,” he explained.  The man looked at me and Spark took my hand.  “This is my cousin Angelica Anderson,” he told him.  The man extended his hand.
“Hello there,” he said with a smile.
“Nice to meet you,” I said taking his hand politely.  I looked toward Spark for some sort of introduction he realized his mistake.
“I’m sorry Angel, this is one of my coworkers Mr. Carl Henderson.”
“Nice to meet you Mr. Henderson,” I said, this time using his name.
“You have fun now, you hear?”  I smiled and nodded.
“I will I promise,” I assured him.  Carl turned back to Spark.
“As for you Doyle, take good care of her she’s a lovely young woman, her name fits her well.”  At this juncture Rose appeared and we left Carl to his work.
Spark and Rose took me on Spaceship Earth in the eighteen story tall Epcot ball.  Spark knew that the turn in the middle of the ride could scare me but instead of saying, “Angel it’s not going to hurt you, or letting me scream he held me close and said, “There now Angel you’re all right.”  I smiled and snuggled up against him; when the ride turned I didn’t even feel it.
When we got off of Spaceship Earth it was noon.
“Anybody hungry?”  Spark asked.  Rose and I both were hungry so we decided to eat in Mexico one of Epcot’s finest restaurants.  Spark wasn’t going to give me a second rate vacation he was going to do it right.  After the noon meal we saw The Land, The Living Sea, Wonders of Life, Universe of Energy, and my personal favorite Test Track, Disney’s NASCAR simulator that gave you the feeling of a real NASCAR race.  We also saw Spark’s favorite show, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.  The ethnic shows that Epcot was famous for were spectacular.  At five we stopped for the evening meal, this time in China.  After supper we finished up the Epcot Center attractions.  At nine we saw Illuminations 2000 the most spectacular fireworks and laser light display I had ever witnessed in my short lifetime.
“You liked that Angel?” Spark queried.  I nodded.
“Yes, I loved it, was breathtaking!”  Spark smiled.
The next day I was worn out so I was glad when Spark said, “Let’s go to the beach today Angel and just relax.”  I had no objections.  Rose smiled and went to pack a picnic lunch.  When she was finished she helped me get into my swimsuit and we headed off to Tampa Bay, the Princess of Florida.
We arrived at Tampa Bay about eleven and played in the sand.  Spark and I built a sandcastle and collected shells.  At noon we ate our lunch then Rose fell asleep and Spark and I returned to our castle.  About an hour later Spark asked, “Do you want to go to the water?”  I nodded; Spark took off his T-shirt and laid it over Rose.  “Come on, let’s go swimming,” he said, taking my hand.  As we started our descent I made fairly decent progress, but when we hit a rocky place I stumbled.  Spark smiled at me.  “Here girl, up we go,” he said, lifting me into his arms.  When we reached the water he set me down.  “I’m going to hold you so that you don’t go in over your head,” he told me.  He helped me put my swim goggles on too, just in case a wave hit my face.  He put his arms around my waist and we jumped into the water.  We were out pretty far when I started to shiver, Spark noticed it.  “We’d better get back and get you dried off so you don’t catch a cold.”  I agreed and we started back.  Spark carried me over the rocky places as before.  When we reached the top he set me down on my towel and wrapped me in one of the big fluffy ones that we had brought with us.  In fifteen minutes I was as dry as if I had not been in the water at all because the sun was so warm.  Spark and I spent an hour constructing another castle; at three we woke Rose and left because we had a good ninety-minute drive home.
Friday was spent at the mall because we knew that Sea World would be packed and we were glad that we’d gone to Tampa Bay the day before.  Rose and I had fun doing what women love to do best, shop.  Spark who had spoiled me at Epcot a few days earlier by buying me an Epcot T-shirt and Minnie ears spoiled me again by buying me a couple new winter outfits to take home and two Disney videos.  I felt bad that he was spending so much money, but he shrugged me off by saying, “It’s all right Angel, I wanted to.”
I don’t know what possessed us, but on Saturday we went to Disney World’s water parks, which included River Country USA, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach.  By the time we were out of there we were soaked, but it was a blast!  I had never been down a waterslide in my life because I was afraid of them, but Spark promised me that he wouldn’t let me go so with him beside me I went down.  It was thrilling!  I decided that if I could handle River Country, I could handle Sandcastle, Pittsburgh’s famous water park.  Spark bought me a special tube especially made to securely hold one while going down a waterslide.  “You can use this at Sandcastle if you go there this summer,” he told me.
Sunday was our day of rest and believe me we needed it.  We went to church, talked, read, watched television, and slept all day.
On Monday we went to Sea World.  The mighty Shamu was the one thing that caught my attention the most.  What his trainer could do with this one ton of blubber as I thought of him was incredible.  After the afternoon show Spark asked, “Angel, would you like to meet Shamu?”  I smiled, “How?”  I asked.  Spark just smiled.  “Come,” he said.  We went to the side of the pool where his trainer was feeding Shamu fish.
“Hello Rick,” Spark said, extending his hand towards the man.  The man looked up with a total look of surprise and pleasure on his face.
“Why Doyle Glenn Reedy I haven’t seen you in years, how are you?”
“I’m fine, do you like it better here than Disney World?”  Rick smiled.
“Well, I miss my friends there, but I sure don’t miss the crowds.”  Spark smiled.
“Rick, my cousin is here from Pittsburgh and I was wondering if you’d let her meet Shamu.”  The man looked at me and smiled.
“Sure thing, come on and follow me,” he said leading the way through a small door.  “Not many people get to see this part of Sea World, you guys are lucky.”  “Here’s our star,” he said stopping and we came face to face with Shamu.  I was frightened then and stepped back.  “There’s nothing to fear, he’s quite tame,” Rick said reassuringly.  He reached out a hand and rubbed Shamu’s back.  “See, he’s quite gentle with people, Orcas, that’s the technical name for killer whales don’t kill unless they’re hungry and even then they don’t kill people.”  I was holding tightly to Spark’s hand, he unclasped my fingers and very gently said, “Angel, he’s safe don’t be afraid to touch him.”  He took my hand and rubbed it along Shamu’s back, it felt like rubber.  I lost my fear entirely and soon I was stroking the big whale on my own with a smile on my face.  Shamu rolled over; he wanted me to rub his tummy.  I reached down a little hesitantly at first because I was frightened of the depth of the water, but Spark held me firmly.
“I won’t let you fall in Angel, I promise.”  I rubbed Shamu’s tummy then he rolled back over getting us soaked in the process. Spark asked Rick if I could ride Shamu he said I could, so he changed into his wetsuit and I changed into my swimsuit which conveniently happened to be with our things.  Rick climbed onto Shamu’s back and Spark passed me down to him.  Rick set me in front of him close to the whale’s head.
“This pool is twenty-six feet deep, can you swim?” he asked.
“Will he throw me off?”  I asked frightened.
“I don’t think so, but if he tried I’d go first anyway.”  Rick commanded, “Down,” and Shamu went twenty-six feet underwater.  Very quickly Rick said, “Up,” and Shamu came up to the surface.  After three laps around the pool Rick said, “Beach,” and Shamu beached himself on the side of the pool.  Spark reached down, lifted me off the whale’s back, and set me on firm ground again.
“Was that fun Angel?” he asked; he took the shine in my eyes for my answer.  I had learned to respect the mighty Shamu.
“May I feed him?”  I asked.  Rick smiled.
“Of course, he deserves a fish.”  I agreed, this massive mammal hadn’t thrown me off or eaten me while I’d been in the water with him.  I showed the fish to Shamu and he opened his massive jaws, I was frightened again and started back.  “Don’t worry, he knows when there’s a hand in his mouth and he won’t close it until you move your hand,” Rick assured me.  I was still scared and gingerly placed the fish on Shamu’s big pink tongue.  As Rick had promised Shamu didn’t close his mouth until I had removed my hand.  I fed him two more fish then with a final pat we left him to rest.
Next, we went to the World of the Sea aquarium.  I had never seen so much marine life in one place before.  I had been to Sea World of Ohio, but Sea World Florida was much bigger.  They had lionfish, swordfish, electric eels, tropical fish, and all other marine life imaginable.  We also went to Dolphin Cove, Penguin encounter, and Shark Encounter where we got a close up look at these wonders of the sea.  By the time that day at Sea World was over I had more respect for the sea and all its creatures.
To finish up my first week in Florida we went to Cape Canaveral.  I learned the basics of the NASA space program, how a space shuttle works, and how missions were completed.  I even got to witness the launch of the USS Discovery and that was incredible to watch two tons of metal being hoisted into space as if it were a rubber ball.  I usually wasn’t interested in things like space although I was a Star Warrior but I found the NASA headquarters very interesting.  “What a cool place for a field trip,” the teacher to be in me thought.  We were done at Cape Canaveral by late afternoon so Spark added another surprise for me that literally took my breath away.
After supper we drove to Tampa.  I couldn’t for the life of me figure out why because we’d already been to the bay.  The next thing I knew we were parked in front of the Ice Palace, the home of Tampa’s NHL team the Tampa Bay Lightning.
“What are we doing here?”  I asked.
“A hockey game, I knew that you were a hockey fan,” Spark said.
“Against whom?”
“Now do you really have to ask?”  Spark asked smiling.  My mouth dropped open the game was Penguins versus Lightning; I could hardly believe it.  “I have something to tell you Angel,” Spark stopped there and I waited for him to go on.  “I was the one who arranged for Mario to be your traveling companion; I knew that he was coming to Tampa so I called the Mellon Arena, talked with him, told him what a big fan you were, and he said that he’d be more then happy to accompany you.”  I looked up in amazement.
“But he said that he was going to Miami to golf,” I reminded him.
“He said that because that’s what I told him to say so that you wouldn’t know that he was going to be here.  He promised to have pictures taken with you and take you skating after the game, what do you think of that?”  My eyes were sparkling and Spark smiled, he loved to see me happy.  He told his father later, “I may have maxed out my credit cards, but to see her face light up and her eyes sparkle with the light of a young girl realizing one of her fondest dreams made it worth all the work I put into making this trip possible for her.”
As I hoped the Penguins won the game by a score of five to two.  Afterwards Spark and Rose took me back to the locker room Mario met us at the door.
“Hello Angel, I wasn’t expecting to see you until next Tuesday.”  I smiled as if to say, “Oh yes you were.”  “Are you ready to skate?” My face lit up then fell.
“I didn’t bring any skates with me,” I said.
“I took care of that, come with me,” Mario said with a gentle smile.  He led me into the locker room, opened his locker, and showed me the prettiest pair of white skates I’d ever seen.  “How are these?” he asked.
“They’re beautiful, thank you!”  Mario gave me a smile that matched my own, bent, and tied my new skates.
“Now will you come with me Princess?” he asked.  I nodded and Spark and Rose followed us to the ice.  Even though they couldn’t come out onto the ice they could watch and enjoy what they saw.  After about a half-hour of skating we had a half-hour photo shoot with a professional photographer.  How in the world Spark induced a professional photographer to shoot pictures of me with my sports hero is beyond me.
The next day Spark said, “No choices today Angel, we’re going to Magic Kingdom.”  I had no objection.  We went to the Happiest Place on Earth as the Magic Kingdom was called and enjoyed being children again.  I saw many of my favorite fairy tale characters come to life including, Peter Pan, The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland, and many more.  About two o’clock Spark led Rose and I to a pavilion that looked as if it was decorated for a party.  My eyes widened because I saw a sign that said CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY ANGEL!  I looked at Spark questioningly, he smiled and said, “This is your graduation and eighteenth birthday party Angel; you’re the princess of Disney World for today.”  I couldn’t believe it.  All of my favorites characters were there including, Ariel, Winnie the Pooh, Belle and the Beast/Prince, Aladdin, Jasmine, Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends.  Mickey put a crown on my head and gave me a scepter that said DISNEY PRINCESS.
“I hope you brought your camera,” Spark said, smiling at me.
“I did, but I don’t think I have enough film.”  I looked down at the counter it said 23.  “Oh nuts, I only have one picture left,” I told him.
“Don’t worry about it,” Spark said nodding to someone in the crowd, a man stepped forward.  I recognized him as the photographer that had done the photo shoot with Mario and me the night before.  After the character photo shoot, which took forty-five minutes to an hour we had the ice cream and cake.  Disney sure knew how to throw a party.  The cake was huge, it was chocolate with white icing and it said CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRINCESS ANGELICA!  After an hour and a half of games and just plain Disney fun Spark, Rose, and I left the pavilion to finish our day at the Magic Kingdom.
When evening came we caught the SpectroMagic parade in which all of Disney’s most famous characters were dressed in costumes that were covered with lights.  It was beautiful!  After SpectroMagic we watched the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks display, which was appropriately titled Fantasy in the Sky.  It was a spectacular display of color and design.  While we were at the park Spark bought me a stuffed Simba and Naliah because he knew that I liked The Lion King, he also bought me a Magic Kingdom T-shirt.  By the time the day was over I was more tired then I had been on the days that we’d gone to Epcot Center and River Country USA, but it was all worth it because I had built memories that would last a lifetime.
The next day we went to Universal Studios.  The film making process fascinated me.  We saw how special effects were achieved and Spark bought me another T-shirt.  When the day was over I had gained more respect for Hollywood, not necessarily for what they did, but how they made movies become the heart stopping thrillers they are.
As Spark had promised he took me back to Frostproof to visit Grandma, Uncle John, and Aunt Emily.  When we arrived we were surprised to find our cousins Mark, Mary, Elsa, and Sally sitting with Grandma.  I took the little girls down to the pool and spent an hour swimming with them.  After a picnic supper we all drove into Orlando for a performance by the Olympic gold metal winning women’s gymnastics team including, two time World All Around champion and Olympic balance beam champion Shannon Miller and the youngest ever senior All Around national champion Dominique Mosceanu.  After the show Spark took Elsa, Sally, and I back to the dressing area where we met our gymnastic heroes and their coaches.  When we met with Bella’s Little Tiger, as Mosceanu was called Bella noticed how small I was.
“How tall are you?” he asked.
“Five feet even,” I replied.
“Would you like to learn a simple gymnastic element?”
“Oh yes,” I answered.  Bella nodded to Dominique.
“Teach Angelica the tripod front roll out,” he instructed.  Dominique got down on the floor and with the grace of a deer turned a front summersault landing on her feet.
“Now it’s your turn, don’t worry I’ll spot you,” Bella said.  I got down on the floor and with Bella’s help turned my first summersault in years.  The girls and I got pictures with Dominique and Shannon then we all went to the Dairy Queen for ice cream.
On Saturday Spark and Rose took me to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Discovery Island, Disney’s version of a zoo.  While I was there I saw many animals that our local zoo in Pittsburgh didn’t have the funds, time, or facilities to maintain including, a koala and panda bear.  Animal Kingdom also boasted two Alaskan polar bears, how on earth they survive in the Florida heat is a mystery to me.  After our day at Animal Kingdom and Discovery Island I thought that if anyone still believed in evolution after spending the day there needed to have their head examined.  Spark bought me a stuffed koala, panda bear, and penguin.
Sunday, our day of rest was spent going to church, talking, sleeping, reading, watching television, and getting me ready to go home because we knew that we’d be spending the next day at MGM Studios and there wouldn’t be time for packing when we got home.  My plane was scheduled to depart early Tuesday afternoon.
“Do I really have to go home?”  I asked sadly.  Spark got down on the floor beside me and drew me to him.
“Oh my Tinkerbell we’d love to keep you here with us always, but don’t you think that your mom and dad would miss you?”  I looked up at him and smiled.
“I suppose so,” I said.  He smiled.
“That’s my good girl, we’ll have fun tomorrow I promise and you’ll be back someday I can almost guarantee it.”  He pinched my cheek.  “Look at you, you’ve got a healthy tan, your color is brighter than it was, and your smile is quicker in coming than it used to be.  I’m sure that when your parents see how much good Florida did you they’ll bring you back, I promise you that.”
The next day we went to the Disney MGM Studios where I saw my favorite Disney animated classics come to life.  My favorite shows were, The Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, Live on Stage.  Spark was chosen as an extra for the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.  It was hilarious to watch him; Rose and I laughed until our sides hurt.  They also took me to The Magic of Disney Animation the studio where the full-length animated features were drawn and produced.  While there we saw many musical reenactments of some of Disney’s best-loved animated classics.  I usually hated heights, but I enjoyed the Tower of Terror, Disney's thirteen-story free fall based on the science fiction thriller The Twilight Zone.  After dark we saw MGM’s fireworks display then after picking up some Disney soundtracks and another shirt we went home and I went straight to bed after doing some last minute packing.
The next day Spark woke me early.
“Come Angel, we want to leave early so that we’ll have time to pick up some fresh fruit for you to take home.”  Just as he promised Mario met us at the airport, at first he didn’t recognize me because of my tan. When the boarding call came Spark and Rose gave me hugs.  Spark held me close for a long time.
“Thanks for everything,” I said softly.  He smiled.
“You’re welcome my girl, we’ll do it again someday I hope.”
When I arrived back in Pittsburgh I was full of stories for my mom and dad.  We went to Mario and Nathalie’s house in Sewickley for dinner; their house was beautiful!
After we arrived home I gave my mother the fresh fruit and showed her and my dad my souvenirs.  I will always remember my magical graduation gift that was given with love, time and sacrifice.