After enjoying time with one of my kids, leaving is always, always a challenge. Do all mothers feel this? The love I feel for each of my four children is endless.
I just spent four whole days with Kyle. He is my middle child; my second born who entered this world in 1987, ten days early and came into the world in just 26 minutes. The doctor didn’t have time to put on his surgical gown and I am fairly certain the (white) shirt and Mickey Mouse tie he wore that Sunday evening were never worn again. I was still wearing socks and a -tshirt when the hospital registrar came in after Kyle was born and said, ‘well now, let’s do your paperwork’.
Having time alone with any one of my children is time treasured. Because he lives across the country, this doesn’t happen often enough for me and Kyle. But this week…. This week I had four entire days. We talked about all sorts of stuff, from silly to serious. We walked over 60,000 steps wandering all over Brooklyn. One day we did venture into the city for a walk through Central Park but mostly we stayed in Brooklyn.
Kyle and his wife were very gracious hosts. They chose amazing restaurants, and even found a lovely quilt exhibit in a small museum (worthy of a separate post). Knowing I was really there just for time together, our time wasn’t booked up with tours and back to back activities. It would be easy to do this in New York and maybe someday we will. Instead we just walked and talked.
On Thursday we enjoyed hanging out together. My daughter-in-law was unable to take as much time off as Kyle. We decided to go to Brooklyn General so I could ogle the fabric. Their focus is yarn but do have a great selection of garment fabrics and some quilting cottons. I knew I wanted a linen blend to make a summer top. After choosing one, my DIL found some pretty batiks. I chose one and plan to make a pair of loose fitting, comfy pants.
Next we headed over to the Botanical Gardens. It was a warm, slightly humid day. We wandered the garden looking at the roses choosing our favorites and smelling the fragrance as we wandered. What a surprise to see how far ahead the blooms were compared to my roses at home in Washington. The gardens here were fully blooming but mine still have tight buds.
Another day we took the subway into the city to see Central Park. What a beautiful space. It was Friday and it didn’t feel at all crowded. We listened to a number of musicians. Of course in the Strawberry Fields area the music was songs by the Beatles. We watched a high school age dance group practicing a dance routine involving some line dance steps with boots and hats mixed with some hip hop and gymnastics. I LOVE watching kids dance so this was super. We also sat on a bench for a long while to listen to a young woman with a gorgeous voice sing. She did some Alycia Keys and knocked it put of the park (pun absolutely intended). As we walked under a gorgeous archway, we watched a wedding party having professional photos taken. The bride wore a stunning full skirt of silk with tones of bronze. I was mesmerized by her outfit and I am sure Kyle expected me to go ask her what the skirt was made of! I (barely) controlled myself.
Next we headed over to see the Twin Towers monuments and take a peek at the Statue of Liberty. It was a somber moment to see both of the monuments. Very severe looking with the angels and the water but a strong representation of what the size of the towers were and the loss caused on that day. There were a few single rose blooms placed on a name here and there. Kyle explained there is a group of volunteers who place a flower on the name of anyone who would have celebrated a birthday that day. As far as the Statue of Liberty, I am happy I saw it but was underwhelmed. Not sure why. Maybe because I had seen photos of it so many times. But I can check it off the list now that I have seen it.
On Saturday we walked through the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. This historical graveyard has been in Brooklyn since 1838. It is also an arboretum. The mature trees and rolling hills spread over 438 acres make for an incredible park. People use it as a local green space which is so needed when living in such a populated city. During lockdown, Kyle and his wife would often walk through here to be outdoors. He would tell me of their ‘walk through the cemetery’ but I had no idea it was anything other than a small, local cemetery.
The gravestones and markers are really interesting. Some are ornate and some could even be described as gaudy. Others are touching such as the one above with their family pet immortalized.
Some are mysterious, leading us to google the name on the headstone to see if we could find out details about the person remembered there. I tried briefly to look up this memorial to see if it was actually a memorial to the horse or to the owner of the horse. I wasn’t successful though I admit I didn’t try very hard. This marker is huge, taller than me.
Sunday was spent wandering the Dumbo district in Brooklyn. Along with oodles of others, we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. (Picture above isn’t great but it is the only one I have so I have to save it!) It is one mile long and because of the crowds, we walked slowly. Talking, talking and then….. talking even more. People watching was crazy fun. We saw two (very unintelligent) people climb to the top of the rail (intended to keep people from falling off the bridge and into the highway traffic just below) to take photos. Really?? That is the picture you need to have?? Both people were young, pretty women who were dressed beautifully. I would assume this was for a social media post. Yikes. Our world is crazier by the day. They are climbing up there as Kyle and I discuss our jitters over the fact that the bridge is made of wooden planks and wonder if it is strong enough for the hundreds and hundred of tourists walking the bridge. We stopped and looked through the slats and realized that if the slat should crack and we fell through it wasn’t going to be pleasant. Yep, we are of like minds, my son and me.
Returning home on Monday was the right thing to do; albeit not easy. But over the next few days the smoke from the Canadian fires was heavy. The La Guardia airport was even shut down for a bit. Seems like the air cleared a bit today but I know all too well the smoke comes and goes for such a long time.
In other news, my parents BOUGHT A HOUSE!! They are moving up here at the end of June and I just cannot wait! They are dealing with myriad details which is so overwhelming when moving. The new house is just five miles from mine which is perfect. Today I am heading to my son’s house. I am the “mystery reader” in H’s kindergarten class. Next we leave on Wednesday to head to central CA to watch Julia graduate from college. Life has certainly taken me away from the sewing room. Not sure when I will be back to having time for sewing. But this happens. Take care everyone. Back soon-(ish)!!
What a wonderful trip you had!! Brooklyn is definitely a fun place and filled with interesting walking jaunts. Congrats on the graduation and lucky you for time with the kids. I have the 5 boys and am heading to Philly today for my youngest’s senior art show at Drexel. Time goes by so quickly and we have to cherish these moments. I also get sad when the boys leave or I walk away from them. It’s a mom thing…maybe a dad thing too, but we moms feel it all more deeply, I think. It’s the price of love and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I currently have one in Chicago, two in Israel, one in Philly and one at home. Life is busy and they are all doing well and experiencing life to its fullest. It’s all good!! I know you feel the same way about your “kids”. If they’re happy, we’re happy, right@!?? Sewing is our creative outlet for all the emotions we store.
Hi Elana – I didn’t know two of your boys are in Israel. That must be difficult for you. Will they be there for a certain amount of time or are they settled there? That is really far away! I hope the trip to Philly was fun. Do you plan to post a picture or two (hmmm, maybe on Facebook – I will check over there)
Take care and enjoy your Sunday!
Family time is the best time next to sewing time….fabric will be waiting…family time moves on too quickly! Great when you can enjoy individual time with family in their daily lives. Beautiful pictures capturing those memories. Julia graduating college!? Yesterday she graduated Kindergarten….where have the years gone? Congratulations Julia and of course Mom and Dad…fabulous job. Blessings on these days, Dawn
Thank you Dawn! The years buzz by faster and faster these days. I cannot believe I was just at H’s kindergarten class as it doesn’t seem that long since it was Julia in elementary school. Anyway, you are so right – life will calm down in a couple of months and the fabric & the sewing room will be there waiting!
What a great tour of Brooklyn you just gave me. It’s somewhere I may never make it to so thanks! Glad you had a good visit and keeping busy on the home front. No worries – the sewing machine and creative posts will return at some point. In the meantime I am happy to enjoy your travels.
Hi Bernie – Happy to have you travel vicariously with me. Hahaha – as I have recently done with your last trip!
I hope to return to Brooklyn within a year. I loved my time out there. Enjoy your Sunday!
Oh, what a great trip and pictures! So glad your parents bought a place so close to yours! Yay!!! 🥰
Lovely post to read of the bond between a mother and son. So glad your trip went well and you got back home out of the smoke from the wildfires. Sewing will always be there, but family time comes first if you are like me and it’s the priority of being a mom that I am forever grateful to have experienced.
Hi Kathy:
“The priority of being a mom” – that is a great way to phrase the intensity of feeling we get as a mother. It is hard to articulate but you got it! And if we don’t make the effort to stay in touch and spend time together that bond will likely weaken. Kyle and I text a lot and we FaceTime fairly often but spending time in person beats all of that. Take care.
Family time in my opinion is the best, sewing will always be there waiting. Looks like you had a wonderful time in Brooklyn. Congrats Julia!
Exactly! I completely agree. Thanks Cindy!
Oh, what a delightful trip. I loved getting to live vicariously through you and I’m so glad you got 4 uninterrupted days with Kyle. And what amazing news about your parents!! Enjoy your celebration with Julia.
Thank you. As usual, it is great to be home but the trip was so special. Now off to more family time! Take care Yvonne.
L O V E reading about your visit to N.Y. and especially Brooklyn. I was in tears. I miss living there so much. We’re in GA now, not by choice, but my “home” will always be New York.
Thanks for sharing all the wonderful memories.
Oh Joan – I am so happy you enjoyed this. Your home will always hold special memories. Brooklyn was terrific but I could not live there. Mainly because of the noise level! It was shocking to discover how loud it is – sirens, motorcycles and more. Living in the country it is very quiet here. But otherwise, I loved it.
looks like a wonderful time I was only in the city once briefly so of course basically saw the Statue of Liberty and a walk through Central Park – I would have loved to see a lot more and spend days – Hubby did not like it.
Hi Karen: I suspect my husband wouldn’t be thrilled with NYC either. He isn’t a big city person – nor am I, truth be told. But I did love having my son there and he knows the area so he was a great guid.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful fotos. I have no children but a lovely hubby and we have been in NY for one week tho celebrate my 33. birthday. The towers were there and when I see the picture of how it is now… I always have the feelings in my body when „it“ happens. We have been in Brooklyn in this park and at the statue of Liberty. A must have as european tourists. In these long ago times I did no quilting. So no hunting for finding quilting shops. How nice they took their time to share with you!! Yes, we all should create travels and store memories. We heard about that canadian wood fires. And that means again wood is gone forever. And yes city tripps are nice and we start our road trips always with the big city and then take the car and drive to landscape. So brilliant fotos and story. Sewing time comes … no worry! Have a great weekend!!
Eva, Making memories is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter too much how we spend our time together. It just matters that we make the effort to be together. This isn’t convenient since my son live thousands of miles from me. But we will continue to travel so we can hang out together. He and his wife are coming to Washington in September and I am very excited to see him again so soon!
Oh, I’m so glad you shared this post, so I could see photos and hear about your visit! I’m so glad, too, that you had so much time to just walk and talk – that is just the best! I cannot wait for your parents to be there with you – I hope the move goes well! And I’m so excited for Julia – give her a hug and well done for me! H will be so excited that you are the mystery reader!
Hi Wendy – It was so sweet to see H’s surprise when I showed up at her classroom. She is in a very sweet class and they were super attentive. They had a substitute that day but still were all engaged. It was very fun.
The trip to see Kyle was the best. I am so glad I went and plan to try and get there regularly. It is hard having them live across the country so I just need to make the effort to go our there – at least annually. Who knows, maybe I can do a pit stop in MN sometime. It was funny but I was watching the plane’s progress on the little screen in front of me as I flew home and thought of you as we flew below MN. Did you see me waving? Probably not since I had an aisle seat but I was thinking of you. 🙂
What a great read Bernie! What a time you are having with your kids, grandkids, and now your parents moving close by. So happy for you and how we get to come along on your adventures.
Hugs, Heidi
Thank you Heidi. Happy to have you along for the adventures via the blog. Glad to know you are enjoying it.
I missed everyone during the quilt show weekend. Hope to attend one sometime so I can see people and say hi.
Take care Heidi.
I love your birth story about Kyle! What a handsome young man he is, and you have a beautiful daughter-in-law! Your trip sounds wonderful, I love the photos and the stories. How special to spend that kind of quality time with him. Everything you did sounds interesting to me. Those are the kinds of things I would do if we ever go back for a visit.
Randy and I visited NYC in July 2001, and his company was in one of the towers, so we were in and out of the buildings during our stay. And we stayed in the Marriott that was between those two towers. We have always felt such gratitude that our visit was not during that fateful time. How wonderful are those volunteers who place a flower for birthdays!
Congratulations to your parents, and how wonderful for you! I dread the move for them, but I bet they will be so happy there. Yay for Julia! Enjoy your fantastic summer Bernie!
Wow Linda! That is a scary thought about your visit to the towers. It was really impactful to see those two monuments. What a time in history that all was (and still is).
We are super excited to have Mom, Dad and Julia all up here. Yahoo! Hope all is well with you. 🙂
Oh Bernie, what a great, great trip! It sounds like you had a wonderful time with your son. He resembles you underneath that beard! I was also underwhelmed by the Statue of Liberty. I just expected it to be bigger and the cost to go out to the island was pretty high. Central Park is always very nice, though. I bet you would have been happy to go anywhere with your son, no matter where it was. How great that your parents found a house so fast! I hope their move goes smoothly. Safe travels to you, too, for Julia’s graduation. How exciting for your family! Happy weekend, Bernie!
Hey Mari – you are correct on all counts! I thought the Statue would be bigger and chose not to actually go to the island. Central Park was wonderful though. And – you bet – I would have been happy to sit in their apartment for four days to visit and pet their cat, Laika. It was just the family time I wanted.
Mom and Dad vacillate from excitement to overwhelm. But they will be up here on June 30th and then can begin the process of learning their way around here. They have much family up here to help. We are so darn excited!
I have lived on Long Island for over 60 years and have never been to the places you visited. I have to make it to some of them this summer. Thanks for the wonderful tour.
Hi Cathie – If you are truly interested in taking a trip over to the city, try and see the quilt exhibit at the American Folk Art Museum. It is a small-ish exhibit but so wonderful! Admission is free, they are open Wednesday – Sunday and the quilts will be there until October 29th. It is worth the time!
What a wonderful trip! I love seeing all the places you went to. I am always puzzled by the extravagance of some headstones and statues you can find. Glad your parents found a home!
The cemetery was super interesting – so many were huge family plots with all sorts of borders and benches. The main statue would say the family name and there would be individual headstones marked ‘mother’, ‘father’, etc. Or some would have the man’s name but the woman’s would say ‘Wife of John Smith’. Weird. But it was well worth a long walk through the grounds.
What an amazing time you had! and yes – it is so hard to leave – even the adult kids – they are just so fun to be around!! Happy trip to Julias!!!
Such a fun trip. All your kids are so good-looking. Wish you had more and we could be winning all those beauty pageants 😀 The best part is that they are all good people too. With such awesome kids I am sure everyday is Mother’s Day.