Who's Who Wednesday: Contributor Roger

My name is Roger. I’m closing in on 60, work as assistant manager at a Brooks Brothers Factory Store near my home in Franklin, New Hampshire, and am a professional resume writer. I’ve been married for over ten years to Brenda, My Internet Bride. My first visit to Disney World was in 1975. I still have vivid memories of screaming through Space Mountain, thrilling on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and riding spellbound through “It’s A Small World.” My next visit was 28 years later, on my honeymoon with Brenda.The years had made me less interested in thrill rides like Space Mountain, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was gone, but I still enjoyed “It’s A Small World.” Much had changed in those decades. Paper tickets were replaced with electronic ones, Fast Passes were invented, and three more parks were opened to visit and love. Brenda and I began returning to Disney World for every vacation, eventually purchased Annual Passes, and now are Disney Vacation Club members. We make at least three trips a year now, and still love it. People wonder why we keep going back, when, after all, we’ve already “seen everything.” Of course, you know that’s not true. There is so much to see and do, and there is always more being added (and—alas—subtracted), but we find that our frequent trips free us; we can focus on what we really love, and spice that up with new adventures.We love Disney World’s mindset of cooperation, contribution, and communication. From the ever-smiling cast members, to the constantly delighted guests—everyone goes to Disney World to experience a little magic, and usually ends up adding some magic to the lives of total strangers (who are then friends). (We talk about our new friends on our own blog: http://backtodisney.wordpress.com/. We love Disney World’s focus on building one another up—rather than tearing one another down. At Disney World, a grown man well into (some may say well past) middle age, can have a great time drawing pictures of Disney characters. Disney world is a place where magic can—and does—happen. Where sick children and adults can escape the limits of their physical disabilities, and enter a world of imagination and delight. Where families of sparring children can find oases of collaboration, and build bonds of trust and mutual respect. Where lovers—like Brenda and I—can celebrate significant moments as privately or publicly as they please. Pat Williams, in How to Be Like Walt, said Disneyland was to Walt: “… an island of utopian hope and happiness in sea of human despair.” And that:“Walt envisioned people coming to Disneyland, finding happiness there, then going out and widening the circle of happiness around the world.” I think that’s exactly how Disney World works. It changes our attitude. It reminds us of how wonderful life can be when we are kind, friendly, and helpful to one another. I think bloggers help keep the spark of Disney World magic burning bright, and I’m proud and honored to help create a little bit of paradise right here on earth.