Dylan W Levy
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Make-A-Wish (Saying Goodbye)

1/30/2011

7 Comments

 
Picture
We had awaken to the resort covered in snow, not just a few inches like they anticipated but literally half a foot.  This was the only remaining thing Dylan really wanted to see; snow falling from the sky and being able to taste a snowflake.  We decided to pack up everything as quickly as possible as we wanted to make our way down to breakfast and take up Chef on his offer of saying goodbye after we ate.

Upon arrival at Manzanita, we were like always greeted by the staff and floor manager.  We were shown our seat (patio side with a view of the snow falling from the sky) and were informed that breakfast was on the house and whatever we wanted we could have.  I was yet again blown away, I also felt really bad as these people have already done so much for us.  We ordered our meal and it was made to order, it was very reminiscent of the other night, which it was simply fantastic.  The flavors in the food that comes out of this restaurant is quick frankly the tastiest  I've ever tasted, its truly amazing how something as simplistic as a ham/spinach/onion egg white omelet (minus cheese) can taste as flavorful as it does, the distinct individual flavors are complementing but yet so complex at the same time.  We really enjoyed it and appreciated the staff taking the time to chat with us.  Just as we figured it was time to leave, we were told that chef's and kitchen staff were going to come out and make snow angels with Dylan.  I was like wait......................they must be kidding, right?  Who just gets to work and slaves away in the kitchen to only cut loose and throw themselves selfishly in the snow, all for the sake of a child getting a good laugh?  That's right, that's the folks at Manzanita.  I was completely shocked that these guys/girls in there work attire would do something so special, oh and lets not forget its only like 28 degrees outside.  I was so grateful for this moment, nothing like this could ever be forgotten, it was a moment that will forever live in my memory.  At the end of it all we were given a signed menu from the restaurant (and this is more than just a piece of paper, its a beautiful single page menu accompanied by a leather placard with the restaurants signature embossed manzanita tree branch on it, its the most elegant menu I've ever seen).

The time had come, it was the dreaded time to say goodbye's...we knew upfront this was going to be really hard, over the last few days we've gotten to know these folks whom had done so much for us; hopefully we could get by with limited water works.  As we made our way to the lobby, we were surrounded by what appeared to be the entire hotel staff; from managers, to wait staff, to the chef's, literally everyone we had seen over the course of our stay was awaiting us and our departure.  This was all brought to life with everyone clapping and cheering Dylan on as we made our way to the front door.  To say it was magical would be an injustice, it was precious; the look on our little boy's face said it all.  The experience had come full circle, overwhelming and over the top from the get go to the overwhelming heart warming goodbye's.  Dylan made the rounds slapping everyone high 5's.  The staff had made Dylan a wonderful banner saying goodbye and likewise Dylan had made the General Manager a very special picture to say his thanks as well, which was given to his assistant Martina (whom came in on her day off just to say farewell).  Without the caring and compassionate individuals behind the entire operation at The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe none of this would of been what it was.  Our experience is one that will forever live in our memories and one that we will be indebted to these folks for a lifetime.  

As we pulled away and started on our journey back to our life/reality, we found ourselves on the side of the road weeping in tears as a family.  I grabbed my camera one last time and took a single photo of Dylan and the hotel, which was covered in snow but ironically had a break in the clouds off in the near distance; almost like the sky had opened up with snow over the hotel just for Dylan.  Literally as if someone/something had made sure he got to have his wish in its entirety.  It truly completed everything.

Thank you all for making Dylan a special place in your hearts over the last few days, with all the bad things he has gone through and will continue for some time to come, I know he will have a fantastic experience to reflect back on for an eternity.  We are eternally grateful.

-Noah

Slideshow:
***The images below are in a slideshow format, you can hit the "Play" button on main image or click on individual images to have them enlarge.  To get more images put your cursor over the last picture shown on the right, it will scroll to more images***

7 Comments
Travis Barnes
1/30/2011 11:47:25 am

I have been reading all of the update you have been posting up about your family trip and all I can say is WOW what an amazing story!!! I’m so glad to hear there are people willing to go out of their way to make something special happen for a young man and his family going through such a hard time. I know you have raised the Levy family spirits and gave them the vacation of a life time. Too everyone involved to make this happen for the Levy family you guy are rock!!!

Dylan, Amber, & Noah I know the next upcoming weeks are going to be crazy and hard on all of you guys. Just rest a sure all of us here will be praying for you and wishing you the best and a speeded recovery.

Team Snail Performance

Reply
Travis Barnes
1/30/2011 12:00:08 pm

I have been reading all of the update you have been posting up about your family trip and all I can say is WOW what an amazing story!!! I’m so glad to hear there are people willing to go out of their way to make something special happen for a young man and his family going through such a hard time.

I know you have raised the Levy family spirits and gave them the vacation of a life time. Too everyone involved to make this happen for the Levy family you guy's rock!!!

Dylan, Amber, & Noah I know the next upcoming weeks are going to be crazy and hard on all of you guys. Just rest a sure all of us here will be praying for you and wishing you the best and a speedy recovery.

Team Snail Performance

Reply
Kerryann
1/30/2011 11:25:10 pm

Wow, alot of respect goes out to the staff at the Ritz. Its refreshing to hear how everyone took that extra mile and seemed happy to do so. The pictures of Dylan heading out the door with all of the staff waving on honestly brought tears to my eyes.

My prayers are with you Dylan and family.

Reply
Amber Mauzy
1/31/2011 08:22:06 am

Levy family,

In the famous Ritz-Carlton words, and I'm sure you heard them many many times during your stay, it was OUR pleasure! We all wish we could make you residents in the hotel and keep you forever! We wish you speedy recoveries in the coming days and you all are in our prayers...FOREVER!

Can't wait til your healthy return to visit!

-amber

Reply
Noah
1/31/2011 08:43:45 am

Team Snail/Kerryann/Amber

thank you so much for taking the time to read this journal update. I know they are a bit long and tiring to read (or so I assume) but I hope I can at min convey our emotions through them, as leaving things like this past few days unsaid would be an injustice within itself.

We can't say enough about the support that has been shown to our little family, it truly is amazing.

The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe is forever in OUR memories and I certainly hope we will be able to make our way back at some point in time again...I have never experienced such selfless acts of kindness towards us, it was truly unbelievable. Thank you for being a part of that Amber, we feel so grateful.

-Noah

Reply
Jessica Sota
1/31/2011 01:06:32 pm

Mr. Levy and Mrs. Levy,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for letting all of the ladies and gentlmen at the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe be apart of such a humbling experience. Having your beautiful boy Dylan make his wish come true with us was such a unique feeling. Seeing his smiling face in the lobby or the arcade was a sure fire way to brighten our work day.

The love and strength that eminates from your family is unremarkable. Dylan is such a brave little boy.

Thank you again for sharing your family and Dylans Make A Wish with us. We were truly blessed!

We all will be praying for Dylan and you both!

Warm regards,

Jessica


Reply
Amber
2/2/2011 02:02:11 pm

Jessica, Thank you so much for the kind words. We will never forget our stay with the Ritz. It was truly amazing.

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