Day 1 Travis' Make-A-Wish

After 2 years, I'm finally able to compose words to try to blog the power of Travis' Wish...Travis' medical teams over the years told us that Travis would qualify for Make-A-Wish. We held off on the Wish process until Christmas Break 2014/2015 when Travis commented, "I want to go on a boat where you can sleep." while eating lunch. It took us a minute to figure out what he meant. I replied, "A cruise ship?" to which he responded, "Yes, I want to go to Mexico and I want to take you guys." Thus began the process of Travis' Wish.  Why Mexico? In "Planes" Dusty's friends completed his repairs in Mexico. Not saying Travis expected to be healed, but he felt some connection to Mexico.

We completed forms for Make-A-Wish Utah along with his medical team in January 2015. We found out a few weeks later that Travis officially qualified for a Wish from Make-A-Wish Utah.

T's official Make-A-Wish letter that he qualified for a Wish

On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, we met with Bob and Mary, Travis' Wish Granters, at the Make-A-Wish Utah house. In addition to a tour of the wonderful facility, we learned more about the story of Chris, the child in Arizona who in 1980 unknowingly began Make-A-Wish opportunities for so many children across the world. We also learned how Make-A-Wish came to Utah with one kid's Wish "to taste the snow".

T at Make-A-Wish Utah - Mar 4, 2015

Many stars adorn the ceiling of the beautiful facility as they illustrate completed wishes, more in the last post regarding T's star. We played the Wishing Game to determine Travis' wish interests in the 4 categories: I Wish...to Go, to Be, to Meet, to Have. Upon completion of the game, Travis felt confident in his Wish choice and wanted to submit his Wish to the "Wishing Wizard". Travis needed to complete 3 selections for his Wish due to feasibility. In this order, T wished for...
    1. Go on a Cruise to Mexico
    2. Meet Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and go to a game
    3. Meet Kyle Busch and go to a NASCAR race at Bristol

Travis wrote his 3 wishes on a paper and inserted it into a tube to be placed in the wizard's hat. T's magic key opened the Wishing Room and he followed the path as he prepared to place his wishes with the wizard.

Opening the door to the Wishing Room 

Submitting his wishes to the wizard

All smiles

An incredible, magical night for us all as Bob and Mary got to know each of us through games and conversation. Scott and I talked logistics with Bob while Mary and the 3 boys played. Just 9 short days later our dog ran into Travis, fracturing his femur a 2nd time in 8 months. Thankfully the memories of this night and the future of a Wish helped to carry Travis through his femur fracture recovery. Bob and Mary sent Travis this hat and card.

Get Well Wishes from Bob and Mary

Thankfully Travis' femur fracture healed and progress continued on his Wish "To Go on a Cruise to Mexico". We obtained our passports and during the summer of 2015 Travis received official word the Wizard granted his Wish...a November cruise to Mexico with an additional stop in Belize.

Official notice!

Travis loves his Wish Granters wanted to have a picnic with them at the Wish House. We met in August 2015 where we shared much laughter and joy. This helped pass the time until Travis' Wish in November 2015. Travis wanted to play the Wishing Game again, a fun game even if you are not making a Wish.

Autographed Sidney Crosby picture

The Wishing Game

Fun with Mary and Bob

Time passed and we met with Bob and Mary a few days before we departed on Travis' Wish to go over final itinerary and any questions we might have. We received a pre-paid Visa card with enough money to cover excursions, souvenirs for all 3 boys, food while traveling, parking, luggage, fees, etc. Simply amazing.

T and his new Kyle Busch shirt thanks to Bob and Mary

Going over the itinerary with Bob and Mary

Leaving school

He waived our baggage fees

We departed Salt Lake City on Friday, November 6, 2015. Travis attended school for a few hours that morning as we finished the final preparations. We checked Travis out of school, changed him into his Make-A-Wish Utah shirt and headed to the airport for our flight to Ft Lauderdale with a layover in Chicago. Upon check-in, the United employee realized this started T's Wish and waived the baggage fees for us. Thank you!

Waiting to leave Salt Lake City

Before M&Ms

After M&Ms

Ready to fly

Dad, Nolan, and Barrett are excited too

Working on homework during the first flight

Cockpit tour upon arrival in Chicago

We arrived safely in Chicago and found a Chili's for dinner during our layover. Of course, being in O'Hare, we reenact (partially) the scene from "Home Alone". ;) The world views you differently when you're on a Make-A-Wish trip (I had a button on my bag)...more smiles, more niceness, more kindness...the kind of world that should exist for all.

Thankfully no-one was left

Love the colors in the tunnel

We boarded our flight to Ft Lauderdale and I think this was one of the first times it hit me that we were on the Wish. Packing complete, layover success, getting ready for the things to come.

Waiting to board flight #2

Another cockpit tour

I'm pretty sure he asked the pilot and co-pilot how fast the plane flies

Another great flight, capped off by seeing our friend Justin Bell on the in-flight entertainment shows. As we waited for our luggage, Travis made friends with other people waiting for their luggage. He talked about his Wish cruise and asked them what cruise they were taking. We caught our shuttle to the hotel for the night and completed Day 1.

Justin Bell

T with his new friends

Waiting on the shuttle