I had come through a season of suffering. My twenty-year marriage ended, and the magic that once filled our lives was gone. I felt too old to be starting over - but here I was, chasing after a new dream.

Amid the heartache, I found an apartment and a job in retail. Opting to work overtime to pay my bills, I lost contact with my friends and realized my life would never be the same.

"How's work?" My daughter, Nicole, asked.

"Tiring. I feel like I walked three or four times around a football field," I answered, trudging my way up four flights of stairs to my apartment.

"Ready for a vacation?" Nicole asked, hearing my raspy breathing.

"I'd love one," I paused on the second landing to catch my breath.

"How would you..."

"Can I put you on hold? Uncle Wayne is calling."

Without giving her a chance to respond, I switched calls, greeting my brother, "What's up?"

"Mom's in the hospital. The doctor doesn't expect her to make it through the night. Hurry. I can't promise you will see her before she passes." My heart fell; my mother was my world.

"I'll drive!" Nicole said after I updated her.

Reaching my apartment, I packed. Even though my stomach growled, I couldn't eat. Instead, I sat on the couch crying, waiting for Nicole's arrival. Wayne's message echoing over and over in my mind.

My mother, diagnosed with throat cancer, lost her voice. She developed A-fib because of the treatments she endured and was in and out of the hospital.

Speeding through three states, we reached my mother's bedside. Tears of sorrow and happiness flowed as we embraced. I clung to the woman who made my life magical as a child, wishing she'd find the will to stay with us. My mother lasted three months and another speedy trip before passing. After the funeral, I was heartbroken and plunged myself into my work.

"Someone has a birthday coming up," Nicole said, her singsong voice echoing through the phone.

"Ugh," I responded. "Don't remind me."

"Because you've been through a lot; I want to take you to Orlando, Florida."

"What about work?"

"Already taken care of, your boss is giving you two weeks off," Nicole informed me, her excitement oozing through the phone.

"How are we getting there? By car?" I had spent enough time on the road driving back and forth to see my mother, and I wasn't looking forward to another long trip.

"No, we are flying. Southwest Airlines reduced prices on their Florida flights, so I bought the tickets. Pack your bags and prepare to have fun."

Friday arrived, and we were readying to board our plane when the flight attendant checking our tickets asked, "First time in Florida?"

"Yes. It's my mother's  birthday, and we are going to Disney!" Nicole said enthusiastically, squeezing my arm.

"Happy Birthday!" The attendant said, offering recommendations on her favorite Disney locations, "Make sure you visit Cinderella's castle; it's an incredible experience."  With a smile and wishing us a safe, fun-filled trip, she directed us onto the plane.

I choose a window seat to watch as the plane took off; I needed to make sure everything was okay. We started taxiing, and my heart pounded against my chest. The aircraft lifted, putting air beneath us, and sweat beaded on my forehead. Shifting in my seat, I watched as the buildings shrank.

A stewardess passed by, glancing in my direction. "Everything okay here?"

"Yes," Nicole answered. "It's my mom's first flight. We are going to Disney for her birthday!"

The flight attendant smiled, cheerfully saying happy birthday. She shared her Disney experience as she occasionally looked out the window.

"I pretend I am flying over the ocean watching the waves crash into each other. It helps me relax," she said, easing my fears. I tried it and gratefully thanked her.

The plane landed, and before we departed, the attendants encouraged us to take pictures during our explorations.

Our Disney adventures were amazing. Staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, giraffes ate their leafy breakfast while I ate my eggs and toast on the balcony. After breakfast, we explored a different park a day: visiting restaurants, attractions, plays - I even participated in Belle's skit, sang with Minnie Mouse, meet and took pictures with several princesses - Snow White and Mulan were my favorites, the princesses signed my autograph book, joked around with Donald Duck and Goofy, and danced with Chip and Dale. I had a blast!

I stood in line with bubbly children waiting to see their favorite Disney personalities and laughed when they asked their parents, "Why is that old lady hogging all the time?"

Ariel, The Little Mermaid, invited us to visit her home under the sea, and I giggled. For the first time in a long time, I felt young and giddy.

"My mother has me running around. She gets up early and keeps going until late in the evening. I go to bed exhausted every night." Nicole laughed.

"Sounds like you are having a splendid time," Ariel chuckled, swishing her tail around.

We had dinner with Cinderella, and her fairy godmother gave me a star tipped wand to keep the magic alive. The next morning, we were treated to a story and breakfast with Belle.

"Thank you, Nicole! This has been the best birthday ever," I said, wiping away happy tears.

"This is a trip for Jenni, a great mother," she said, giving me a present: a charm bracelet with dangling charms representing our trip.

One of the attendants from our flight down was on our return flight. Once we were seated, she asked about our visit. She giggled and squealed along with us as we shared our magical experience.

Throughout our travels, we met numerous people who helped make our trip an extraordinary experience. I arrived home rejuvenated and a believer that regardless of how old you are or what life puts you through, dreams really do come true.