I get to go to Disney World in 2014

We've never had to have too much of an excuse to have a family get together, and when we get Sherrie's Mom and Dad, both her brothers, and some or all of the children and grandchildren of the siblings together it's a houseful. About four years ago we were at her brother Scott's home celebrating his birthday. Now, this next part and the one following can get confusing so you might want to take notes. This is the second marriage for Sherrie and me and by coincidence her daughter's name and my youngest daughter's first names are the same - Angela. Fortunately Sherrie's daughter has been called "Ang" most of her life and my daughter has been called "Angel". Write that down.

Anyway, we were celebrating Scott's birthday and Maeve, Ang and Jim T's daughter, climbed up in Sherrie's lap (excuse me Grammy's lap - Sherrie is Grammy and I am Pa) and said excitedly, "Grammy, I'm going to Disney World for my fifth birthday!", to which Grammy replied with equal excitement, "That's wonderful Maeve. Who are you going with?" Maeve responded "You and Pa".

Thus did we not only learn that we were going to Disney World for the first time since 1983, but that a tradition has been instantly established whereby each grandchild got to go to Disney World with Grammy and Pa for their fifth birthday. No parents, no siblings, just one child as the center of attention for three nights and four days. We stay at Contemporary on the Concierge level because it is incredibly convenient and includes snack and breakfast amenities that are convenient.

We've done it twice with Ang and Jim T's children, first Maeve in 2006 and Truman in 2008. We get to do it again in 2o1o with Ian, the first child of Angel and Lee.

And I can tell you we are probably looking forward to it as much as Ian, and given that every time we get together he reminds me we are going to Disney World for his fifth birthday, that would be hard for some to comprehend. For four days we get to see wonder, excitement, and happiness that gives us a joy that is hard to describe. Oh sure, it is tiring, but it is a marvelous tired.

And we get to do it again in 2014. Angel and Lee's second child, also a son, was born on July 21st. And Angel and Lee chose my middle name for him, so Silas Phoenix Tucker will be going to Disney World in 2014 too. For all my life, I have shunned using my middle name or even telling anyone what it was because it was subject to ridicule.

Well, I'm here to tell to tell you that Silas is officially a cool name and I get to take my grandson to Disney World in 2014 to watch him discover all the marvels and wonder that the park and its attractions holds.

If you have a grandchild approaching his or her fifth or sixth birthday, start making plans to take a trip to Disney World. I promise it may be the best few days you will ever have had (at least until you get to take the next one for their birthday).