Lofty Goals

When I grow up, I want to be just like my Aunt Ruthanne.

I have returned from taking my nieces, Jessica and Katie, and their grandmother, Grandy,  on a trip to New York to celebrate Ruthanne's 70th birthday. We loaded up the CRV with a cooler full what ever it was gonna take to make the trip happen. After all, this was for Daddy's kid sister; the one who year after year after year has never missed sending me a birthday card. A card that is often lonely in the mailbox but always personalized and on time.

For weeks we had been planing the trip. Katie will be singing for Aunt Ruthanne and Jessica will be struggling to hold her excitement from Facebook as it is a surprise party!

The drive up was nice. I have driven this route for many weddings and funerals so I forget about the beauty of the drive itself. The sunrise over Lake Hartwell; warm and friendly state patrol in North Carolina; the Appalachian Mountain views through Virginia giving us the feeling of being on top of the world; the lush farmland of Pennsylvania; and the excitement of two teenage girls approaching the City! We listen to REM, and Mary Chapin Carpenter and we talk about who we will see at the party and the places we can go in the city. I feel like the most important person in the world because I have been trusted with such precious cargo.

Our arrival in the city is met with a spectacular storm. I get lost and found about three times before I finally arrive at our cousin Renee's apartment. She is graciously putting us up for the weekend. The apartment is tiny and full of memories and toys from her 7 year old son, Jagger. Everyone hits the sack except for Katie and I. We buckle down to rewrite the Taylor Swift lyrics to reflect the story of Aunt Ruthanne. I am in awe as Katie knows what to say and why we want to say it. She is the wisest 13 year old at this moment. It is 2 or 3 in the morning and we have had a long day but I don't care. I am having special time with Katie and I have no sense of time.

In the morning we have a few hours to explore. We hit the subway as if we know what we are doing. We travel to Fulton Street where we say prayers at Ground Zero. It dawns on me these girls were too young when 9/11 happened and may not truly grasp the significance of us praying here. I try to give them some insight but they on their own are appropriate and respectful. Then Grandy leads the girls to places she use to go as a girl. Where she worked and where Grandpa and her shared sandwiches when they were courting. There is Wall Street and Trinity Church; the girls get a kick out of the Bull. Jessica pushes through the Internationals to grab a photo by the horns.

Then it is time to get ready for the birthday party. The girls dress to make their parents proud and their hair and smiles are beautiful. We hit another NY landmark; traffic on the Long Island Expressway. Despite the wreak at exit 61 we make it on time.  We meet people we should know and help with last minute chores. Katie finds Casey, the cousin with the guitar and they retreat to the rehearsal stage. Jess finds little kids not being looked after and looks after them. Grandy finds the wine and other women of a certain age and begins to reminisce. I look for something to do other then soak in the joy.

The food is lovingly prepared by her son Danny; the daughters, Renee, Lisa and Deanna all set the pretty tables with yellow and white to match the daisies. Bill with his dog Marshall keep everyone in line and Michael, the oldest, holds court in the middle of the tent with his infectious laugh.    

Turns out the surprise was let out of the bag when the tables and chairs arrived on Thursday. So the Georgia contingency offers the only unexpected of the day. Us and lifelong friend Kay, in from Florida. Aunt Ruthanne enters on a cloud. She floats and is beautiful and nothing about her is 70 except her experience. Ever since I was a little girl I have found comfort in the sound of my Aunt's voice. It is the same blanket I felt in my father's voice. She cusses like a sailor and protects like a momma bear and lives an authentic life.

The meal is done and the kids sing their songs. Katie is belting out and I am so proud I try to soak in all the moment not just with my camera but also with my heart. I don't notice the tears racing down my face I only feel as though my cup has overflowed.

Aunt Ruthanne is front and center and the kids feel so good as the circle goes round. There is drama in other parts of the lawn, something about a missing harmonica and spilled soda on the cake table. But all I see and hear are two teenagers lifting up Aunt Ruthanne and that is all that matters.

We travel back to the city and hope she likes the Honey Pots. We sleep in the next morning then tackle the city again. There is Central Park; The Met; Museum Mile; the diner for lunch where Jess can have Eggs and Hash at 3 in the afternoon. There is Grand Central Station where Katie goes all flashmob miscue commercial on us and then there is Times Square where they scream teenagers as they take 1000 photos including ones with the Naked Cowboy. The trip is complete.

As I drive us home the next morning I reflect. What a special opportunity to take my nieces on this trip. A chance to wish my Aunt a happy birthday in return for all the good wishes she has given me over the years. Walking through Central Park and Times Square with these two beauties. God is good to me.

It is all full circle. I am still aspiring to be like my Aunt - love deeply, give generously, be authentic; and now these nieces are loving deeply and are so generous and are so unique. I have a goal of being the kind of person who people are willing to load up the SUV with pennies in their pocket and come see me for my birthday and sing to me! Maybe even write lyrics...

Recipes: Order pizza in the city with your nieces at 3 am; cause they deserve it!

Roadtrips: Always take the scenic route; and traveling with the ones you love is always scenic.

Renovations: ...I aspire to be authentic...and to follow in some pretty big shoes!