A heartwarming tale of understanding, empathy, and compassion displayed by a Disney Cast Member in character is going viral on social media. In a post on Facebook, Janice Murphy opened up about an encounter she had with the Fairy Godmother while visiting Walt Disney World. Her story expresses her delight at watching the Godmother interacting with a purple stuffed bear that Murphy was carrying along with her during their meeting. Little did the character know that the plush contained the ashes of Murphy’s daughter, Annaliese, who had sadly passed.
Her full story read:
To the Fairy Godmother I didn’t know I needed,
You had no idea the young woman that was holding a purple teddy bear was me. I was just another stranger, waiting in line to meet a character at the most magical place on Earth. I was smiling but you didn’t know I spent 10 minutes in tears over the things my daughter will never experience. You had no idea what that purple teddy bear represents to me.
Despite your utter lack of knowledge, you included the bear in our interaction. And when you found out that my daughter died, and that her ashes are within the bear, you treated her the same way you treat every child that comes to see you every single day: with love, compassion and kindness. When you hugged her, and kissed her cheek, you made me feel like Analiese mattered to you.
You may not ever see this, and even if you do, you may not remember us. But I will always remember you, and how you hugged and loved on my daughter as if she was like any other child. You helped me feel her spirit in a place she was never able to visit while alive.
Thank you thank you thank you.
Love,
Analiese’s mommy.
At this time, the touching tale has been shared nearly 7,500 times on Facebook with many readers offering both condolences and thanks to Murphy for sharing her story.