Art by Miles Cruz, 4 Years Old
Text by Frank Cruz, Miles' Father
As a family, we went to Disneyland once when Zachary was alive. Meeting Mickey Mouse in his Toontown house is a vivid memory of that long-ago trip. After Zach's death in 2009, we got annual passes and took his little brother Miles frequently. "Leaving today" and entering Walt Disney's fantastic world "yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy" in Anaheim, surrounded by things that brought Zachary joy, was incredibly comforting. We usually ride the train for Zachary and send our wishes for him into the universe at the wishing well behind Sleeping Beauty's Castle. In March 2013, my wife, my middle son Miles, and I took a trip to Disneyland to celebrate what would have been Zachary's 10th birthday. We pulled out all the stops, even staying at the Disneyland Hotel. In my family, a double digit birthday is supposed to be a major celebration. We woke the first morning at the hotel to find Miles sitting at the desk drawing this picture of Mickey Mouse. Miles was 6 months old when Zachary died and 4 years old when he drew this picture. He told us the drawing was for his big brother, Zachary.
