Falling in Love, Again.

Sometimes I feel like living in New York City is like being stuck in a bad relationship.  You know you love it, it's really a fabulous place.  But then winter hits.  Once winter rolls in, all that New York has to offer is tear jerking winds, mean pedestrians, and pure despondency.  Every March I threaten Brian that we are leaving this horrid place.  It isn't worth it!  This is borderline abusive!

But then, slowly, New York begins to be nice again.  The apologies begin flowing with the first crocuses.  A month after those first blooms and I am completely smitten again.  Everyone is happy, the trees are heavy with green leaves, the breeze is perfectly gentle.  And I think, "How could I even imagine leaving such a perfect city?!"

Oh, New York, I love you!

One of my favorite things I love about New York City is just hanging out, wandering, and finding new treasures.  Last Saturday, that's just what we did.  Although, I didn't photograph all the food we ate.  Eating delicious food is one of the best things to do in NYC on a beautiful Saturday.

Street fairs are everywhere!  This was a community garden fundraiser in Tribeca.  Notice the young gals on stilts in the background.

The Balloon Saloon

Our destination: The Hester Street Fair in the LES.  Pretty awesome & pretty packed full of people.  If you go, I recommend you go early or late (not around a meal time).

Delicious food at the fair!

Beautiful church on Grand St (I think).  Near Little Italy.

Walk along the beautiful Hudson River.

We ended the day with a carousel ride on the Hudson.  It's a favorite place of ours.

**If you go to the Hester Street Fair, please take note that Doughnut Plant is just around the corner.

Ode to My Mom

 Mom, you are awesome!  How did you do it?  How did you physically carry and birth seven children (including those big boy twins!)?  How did you raise us so well?  How did you carry it all when you felt so alone?

You are my hero!  You taught me how to be tender, gentle, kind, humble.  You put up with my grief, extreme emotions, snarky remarks, and demand for independence.  You did all of this while juggling many other life-changing situations: several children, full-time job(s), divorce, moving and unemployment (to name a few).

I pray I will be as strong as you!  I hope I will teach my children to be the finest, just as you taught us!

By word and deed you taught me honesty, virtue, integrity, humility, charity, love, hard work.  I could go on and on...

You are so very brave.  I am still impressed you took the subway from JFK to our apartment when coming to meet your newest granddaughter, Isabella.  You were so scared, but you did it!

You are determined to succeed.  No matter what life throws your way you press forward, stronger every moment.

Thank you for loving all that is beautiful and good!  You are the best mother I could ever dream of!

Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.  Sheri Dew