Long ago (perhaps five years?) I collected roosters, but these days I can’t imagine why. I chose instead, a few years back, to collect memories, like shining jewels on the silver strand of my life. Each picture-sound-smell memory glistening with meaning, with abundant life. NYC was a bead on my string. It was a big splurge for us to go, and I’m so glad we did. We went with Naomi’s best friend Rebecca and her mom Dana. Dana and I have been friends since we met in church nursery when our girls were 2 and our boys were barely more than newborns. God just keeps growing the friendship! Highlights:

1) Seeing the Statue of Liberty from the Statten Island Ferry at sunset and again on the return ride at night - I just kept saying “she’s so beautiful!” Naomi and Rebecca loved seeing her even though the educational video they watched on the way up to NY drove them to christen her the ” Statue of Boring”.
2) Getting separated from our tour bus and running down the streets of NYC in pursuit of bags (including car keys) still on the bus; we eventually caught up!! Wouldn’t be NYC without some running, getting lost, and misplaced belongings.

3) Riding the Subway and finding our way through the mazes of the underground using tunnels to change lines. An old blind and apparently homeless man sang beautiful Christmas carols to all of us passengers as we chugged through the darkness towards uptown.

4) Hot chesnuts off the street corner; held in the hand on a very cold night, devoured hungrily because they taste SO good, stuffed in a pocket as we met the warmth and fragrant incense candles of St. Patrick’s cathedral - amazing.

5) Laughing till we thought we’d fall at goofy pictures of ourselves taken against the Time Square backdrop of glitz and lights; it was late, we were tired, full and abundantly blessed by a weekend of memories and experiences.

6) Most wondrous of all for the girls was a visit to the three story American Girl store where they bought small things for their dolls and watched in delight as the dolls had their hair styled!!!
7) The Rockettes show was incredible.
Traveling on buses, trains, and ferries and eventually by car as we headed towards home arriving just before 2 am on our third day - hearing Dana’s stories of God presence in the lives of those around us in amazing ways. We’re so grateful for this chance and for these friends.