The Day we Scammed a Great Man…

You know what is a total rip off?  Going to an Amusement Park.  Tickets are close to $50.00 each (family of 5 = $250), parking is $12.00 for a car, food is outrageous (a soda usually cost in the $3.00 – $4.00 range), and you end up with a $500.00 DAY in no time.  Unless you are us… We totally ripped off Milton Hershey today.

In my eyes, Milton Hershey is a great man.  Milton Hershey is known for his amazing chocolate – which would automatically make him a great man in my eyes.  But, he also uses the money from his ventures to fund a private school (requirement for entrance?  Poverty), and the hospital that has saved Alexander’s life several times. 

Even though all those positive things come from his vision, when we enter the town of Hershey, my gut clenches tight.  My palms get sweaty and I can feel my heart race - because 99.99% of  our visits are related to a complication from Alexander’s syndrome.  The other day we went to Hershey for a routine appointment… and as we were leaving, I saw Life Lion (Hershey’s Helicopter) land.  I had to pull in a parking lot... I needed a moment to gather myself together before driving home – the feelings were that debilitating. .

Yesterday we went to Hershey.  To the Amusement Park. With the kids. And once again… turned a place filled with negative memories into a place filled with positive ones.  I found myself reminded of all the greatness Milton Hershey is responsible for as I experienced his playground through the eyes of a child.
  
The carousel Horses were a big hit.  Ray even showed Andrew how to make his horse go “faster” using the reigns.  Isn’t 2 years old a great age?
 
We left Alexander at home (to cuddles and hugs) because of the heat factor.  Andrew and Addison were free (under age 3), Ray and I used couponed tickets ($50.00 total), and … well – let’s face it – the twins are a cheap date.  Split a hotdog and some water and they are happy as clams.  They skipped a nap and rode every ride they possibly could all day long.  The lines are really short for kiddie rides and they rode and rode and rode.  All the while, squealing in delight and begging for the next ride. 

Uncle Tim has a motorcycle – so they had to be just like him.  And… they wanted to ride the helicopter just like the one that comes to help Alexander and Mommy. 

Andrew does take driving very seriously.  Just like his Daddy.
   
We even rode on the cars that you really drive around the track.  Addison drove for about 10 seconds, but Andrew was all about driving that car.  I mean… the pride that came off that kid was palatable.

Trains are still our favorite, so we rode the train.  And while we were riding around the park, I looked over at my family and saw 3 smiling faces.  No worry lines across Ray’s brow.  Nothing but giggles coming from the twins.  Hershey… a place of excitement and fun … was just that.  The medical center (that does so much GOOD and we are grateful for) seemed so far away.  I was reminded that Hershey was to be a wonderland of opportunity and hope. 

Next year, we will come back. The twins will have to pay… and the lines might be longer… and they might be pickier about their food. And we might give you $400 for a day of fun. But yesterday, you gave us a million dollars of happy memories. I think we got the better deal, so thank you, Milton Hershey.

I told you Alexander was well taken care of.  We came home and the little guy was exhausted from all his loving.  One more happy moment of the day.  Alexander standing up to the tub.  I am basically just putting side pressure on his torso to keep him vertically in line.  He was totally rockin’ the after bath stand. 

Hope everyone has a great weekend…
Tell me – anyone take a bad memory and turn it into a good one lately?