A Small but Significant Act

[February]

...for me, and for my little family here. This has to do with Austin and Monorail Purple so I'll say at the outset that I know people will have varying reactions to this and I only hope that this comes across in the spirit it is intended- an intention to show the utmost respect and to show we will always care and remember. I hope that at least most folks will feel I succeeded.

I've shown this to a friend in Monorails and he said he loved it so that gives me the confirmation I needed emotionally to share this with you all.

I have had a lot of time to think as my eyes have been giving me fits. Believe me, a lot of time. So this was long and well considered.

Actually, it was just before my latest setback (the retinal tear) got to its worst and I had to have it fixed (though it looks like some of the sight loss from it will be permanent) I had been thinking a lot about my trip in July to go to the vigil for Austin, of all the amazing CMs who welcomed me with open arms especially the ones who literally pulled me into the Monorail Ops family with their own arms and hugged me to keep me there and of course, of Austin's family and friends- some of whom hugged me so hard that night that they actually picked my feet up off the ground (and I'm about 5'10", that's no small feat). I think of all the kids from R&R in their red vests, and the flowers they insisted (and I mean insisted) that I take. They have no idea how much all their words and actions meant to me.

Ever since, I've kept thinking about something I've had in my house since June and what I needed to do with it. I needed to make a decision about it, and so already certain what I wanted to do I asked my family and they concurred with me. Being the holidays were coming up, it felt the right time to do it, too.

There is a longer version of this video (sorry the editing isn't the best remember I am only partially sighted these days) and I hope to get it to the folks it's intended for soon via email so if this one's a little choppy that's why. But...well, this speaks for itself and I hope that you'll see it and know just how we feel.

Thinking of you all down there in Monorails- as- when you see my kitchen here- you'll know I do every day.

Still healing up that retinal tear- hope to be back to posting soon in full. Thanks to everyone at SGT for their wonderful support.

I have to say, as I've struggled through the past few really rough weeks, I had to think an awful lot of the GF cast and the gift that they gave to me. With the future of my sight still subject to change, without warning at any time- they will never know how much more their gift of that one night stay in 4330, watching the Monorails go by so close I could almost touch them, will always mean to me. Even if I did go completely blind tomorrow, that- and the sight of all those people by the water holding candles for Austin as the sun set and the rainbow that had persisted through the misting rain faded into night- will be sights I will never forget.

I'll never forget any of you.

love to all,
Bru

PS. When I was switched completely randomly and at the last moment to be cared for by the Chief of the Retina Clinic at U of M from the resident that I was supposed to see (he was suddenly called away) one of the assisting techs asked me if I had a guardian angel watching over me- as this man doesn't even take new patients- and now he was going to be the one performing the laser surgery on my already compromised eye.

I smiled- this was just two days after this video was shot remember- and I'll admit, the very first thing I thought was, If I do, I have a feeling he's wearing Monorail Pilot wings. All I said to her, with tears in my eyes was, "I just might."

Watching this back though I regret I missed a ton of stuff in the kitchen! the monorail salt and pepper shakers, the flashlight, the magnet on the fridge that talks. That doesn't take into account either the GF Station set-up that's on top of my dresser in my bedroom (the bedroom has a GF theme)

[February]

Gee, I really hope the video didn't upset anybody. Nobody has said anything at all so I want to apologize preemptively if it seems that this was in any way trivializing what happened at WDW last summer- that is the last thing I would want people to think. This is not about toys or a model display in my kitchen (though that is mostly what is shown in the video)

Those who know me know how I am- I don't do anything without meaning and specific meaning that is usually deep. Anyone who was there that night and heard what I had to say would know just what Monorails, and the CMs who run them mean to me.

After all the things I saw and heard the weekend I was in WDW for the vigil and all the wonderful people I met, this felt like the right thing to do. A small show of remembrance- that's what I meant for it to be.

Every morning when I look up and see that train there, I think of Austin and all the lives he touched- and there were and are many, including mine.

Anyway...that's all I guess. I hope that it was all right to post it here.

hugs,
bru

[felinefan]

Bru, I was loading updates on my computer when I came across this yesterday, and couldn't access it. But I just now saw it, and I think it's wonderful. Often it's the small things we do to honor those we love and admire that have the most meaning. And this was very meaningful. :)

[DisneyMom]

Bru- I can't see it because My Computer Sucks!!!!!
Hope to get a new one soon with High-Speed Access.....
Gerbil in this one is oooooooooold!

I think we all know here the love in your heart for Monorails and the good people who work with them :)

[hobie16]

Bru- I can't see it because My Computer Sucks!!!!!
Hope to get a new one soon with High-Speed Access.....

Most PCs/Macs sold these days come with a gig NIC (Network Interface Card). The bottleneck then becomes the network

[Whazzup]

Bru, your video was a wonderful remembrance of Austin and the rest of the monorail family.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories, and the images of your kitchen! :) Love your monorail collection.

[Monorail_Red]

Almost bigger than my monorail collection!

The video was great too, thanks for sharing that! :D:

Monorail_Red