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Published Saturday, December 25,
2004, in the San Jose Mercury News
Dream holiday
By DAVID E. EARLY / Mercury News
A few days ago when 5-year-old Stephanie Cruz was handed a plane ticket with her name on it, she fanned her smiling face with the slip of stiff paper and did a joyous little dance.
``Disneyland, Disneyland, Disneyland,'' she sang, as her tiny feet peppered the kitchen floor where Stephanie, her dad and her three siblings were all studying their own passports to the ``Happiest Place on Earth.''
On this Christmas morning, thanks to the generosity of Mercury News readers, the entire Cruz family -- dad Nicky and children Nicky Jr., 13, Gonzolo, 12, Marilyn, 8, and Stephanie -- woke up in the fun-filled comfort and warmth of the Disneyland Hotel.
The family was embraced by readers when their tragic story of loss was featured as part of this year's Wish Book series.
Their adventure began with a flight to Anaheim on Christmas Eve day. At the resort, they were met by a bilingual VIP host who escorted the wide-eyed family through both theme parks, Disneyland and California Adventure.
Today starts off with a breakfast at which they will meet Mickey Mouse and other characters over pancakes. After a full day at the parks, they will sit down to a festive dinner at the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney.
The excursion will allow the family the luxury of four days to be together in a gentle environment. Perhaps it will help them begin the process of healing from the recent accident that suddenly took the life of Rocio Mendez.
``I left home that morning with a loving wife and four happy kids,'' said Nicky Cruz about Oct. 13, the day when his wife and the mother of four was killed in a hit-and-run incident on Cinderella Lane near South Jackson Avenue in San Jose.
Mendez, 42, was walking with Stephanie when, according to police reports, a driver turned off Jackson and plowed into them both. Police reports say the driver stopped his truck, looked back at the injured mother and daughter, and drove away. The alleged driver was later arrested and remains in Santa Clara County jail in lieu of a $1 million bond.
While Stephanie was injured, Mendez had severe brain damage and was pronounced dead a day later. Since then, the family has been reeling in confusion and grief.
The idea of spending Christmas in their cramped apartment without their wife and mother was too painful. The idea of getting away to a place that Mendez always dreamed of taking her kids seemed perfect.
Readers agreed, and donations poured in to help the family get to Disneyland. There also have been plenty of job offers for Nicky, who does home improvement work, and lots of letters from readers offering everything from solace to prayers.
The dream trip also included some extra excitement for the four kids: their first plane ride.
``We were all kind of a little nervous,'' said Nicky Jr., recalling the moment the aircraft lifted off.
``It went very fast at first and then it slowed down,'' he said, laughing. ``But we got here real quickly and the whole place is really nice.''
Since the fatal accident, Cruz has been staying close to his children, but every day has been a struggle. The family's introduction to Disneyland put a smile on all their faces.
``We took a lot of pictures with Mickey Mouse,'' said a happily exhausted Cruz. ``And everybody has been so nice to us.'' He said his daughters particularly loved Minnie Mouse's House (in Toontown) and that their first exploration of Disneyland took about four hours -- with plenty more to come in the next several days.
``I'd like to thank all the people who helped us out,'' said Cruz. ``It's been hard for us and now I wish I could do something for everybody who helped us.''
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED
Mercury News readers' generous donations to the Wish Book are making sure we can fulfill all of the wishes presented in this year's series, which appeared Nov. 21 through Friday. Donations continue to be welcome in any amount; visit www.mercurynews.com for details. Look for a wrap-up of the 2004 campaign -- featuring many happy endings -- in January.
Here's how you can help fulfill a wish:
ONLINE:
When you read the Wish Book stories, links to donate are included,
so that you can earmark your donations through our secure server.
BY
MAIL :
Click here to download*
a Holiday Book donation form. Simply fill it out, attach your check
or credit card information and mail it to the Mercury News, c/o
Wish Book Fund, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190
* To view and print this
form, you will need Acrobat Reader. Free Acrobat downloads at www.adobe.com/acrobat.
QUESTIONS
ABOUT WISH BOOK?
Contact Holly Hayes, Wish Book coordinator at (408) 920-5374 or email wishbook@mercurynews.com.
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