I’m in the Happiest Place on Earth, which scientists tell me is Finland. Alas.
It’s day three – our last day. Two days in Disneyland, with a day in California Adventure sandwiched in. I’m pushing my daughter in the $18-per-day rental stroller and she’s bellowing the same refrain from a Tangled song: “At last, I see the life!”
The line is actually, “At last, I see the light,” but her rendition is too cute to correct. She is her own light and I’m pushing Little Miss Sunshine as the southern California sun sets.
My son, on the other hand, is breaking down.
“Stay with me, bud.”
He’s annoyed by the singing.
“Watch where you’re going, son. Sorry about that.”
He wants Mickey gloves, which will not fit in our overstuffed suitcases.
“We’ve already spent a lot of money on you this trip.”
He wants to ride more big-kid rides.
“Your little sister needs rides she can ride.”
My wife is DONE. She walks off with the stroller. My light is gone. I clench onto my chill with all the fiber I have.
I tell myself my demeanor is part of the magic my children will remember. I tell my son he has been great this week, patient with the unholy lines. I recap the characters we’ve met, the food we’ve had. But he’s had enough of good behavior. I don’t blame him.
We make it to the entrance. Taxed and satiated, I grab an Uber and we head home.
“These palm trees are gorgeous at night,” I say.
No one responds.
–
We’re back in our hotel packing for tomorrow’s flight. My kids are watching a Spongebob movie – intellectual property Disney has yet to claim. They fall asleep without us trying.
It’s quiet now.
As we finish packing, my wife says to me, “I think we did really good this trip. They’re going to have those memories for the rest of their lives.”
I’m about to pass out, but I force a smile.
“Yeah,” I say.
I closed my eyes and let song in my head carry me to sleep.
“At last, I see the life.”