Daddy and I just got back last night from our trip to NYC. We left for our trip on Christmas Eve. As we were landing, I got a glimpse of the NYC skyline and got really excited for a moment. Then instantly the reason for our trip hit me and tears filled my eyes. Daddy smiled at me and grabbed my hand, and just like that, the moment of sorrow passed. We spent Christmas Eve walking around the City looking at the Christmas window displays and other decorations. We walked through this little Christmas village in one of the big holiday stores, and I smiled when it contained a model bi-plane that reminded me of my flight with you.
Christmas Day was jam packed with activities. Daddy laughed at one point during the day and said that I had so many things planned that he didn't have a moment to think. I smiled and told him that I planned our day that way by design because I didn't want to think. I worried that if I stopped for even one moment on Christmas Day and thought about what we should have been doing with you, that the entire day would be lost for me.
We started Christmas morning early with ice skating at the Rink at Rockefeller Center. I had never been ice skating before, and it had been years since Daddy had been. Not surprisingly, Daddy was great at it and I was not so graceful (although I'm proud to say that I didn't fall once!). It was so warm out that we didn't even need our coats! We had a blast, and we even got to watch a cute couple get engaged on the ice. It was a fun way to start the day. I took your elephant so that we could get a picture in front of the Rockefeller Christmas tree in memory of you. Later I found an ornament to mark our special time honoring you.
After finishing up on the ice, we headed to find some breakfast. Before stopping at a small cafe, we went into St. Patrick's Cathedral where we lit a candle for you and others we knew spending Christmas in Heaven. I said a prayer that all of you were having the most wonderful time celebrating in Heaven. Those moments spent remembering you and your friends on Christmas morning were among the most meaningful moments of our trip for me.
After breakfast, we strolled to Central Park and spent some time enjoying the nice weather. We made our way down to the Empire State Building. It was foggy so we decided to wait to go up to the top. Instead, we hopped on the Subway and visited the 9-11 Memorial and Museum. The memorial was absolutely breathtaking and such a beautiful tribute to the victims of 9-11. There are two twin reflecting pools that stand in the footprint of the fallen towers, and the names of the nearly 3.000 people who lost their lives that day are inscribed around the bases. The museum captures so beautifully the lives of those lost and the strength and unity America showed in mourning them. There is a stunning wall inside the museum with a quote that reads, "No day shall erase you from the memory of time." It was my favorite part of the museum.
We spent a few hours at the museum before heading back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We got dressed up (Daddy looked so handsome) and enjoyed a nice dinner before heading to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. The Rockettes were awesome! The whole show was amazing, from the dancing to the music to the special effects. I was so surprised when the show ended with a live nativity and the reading of part of the Christmas story from the scriptures. It made me love the show even more.
We had plenty of other activities over the next few days too. We enjoyed breakfast of mimosas and chocolate-covered strawberries thanks to awesome friends who had a bottle of champagne and treats delivered to our room. We took a cruise around the harbor, where we saw the Brooklyn bridge and the Statute of Liberty. We went up to the observation deck of the Empire State Building. We toured the Rockefeller Center. We of course did some shopping! Daddy bought me a beautiful "M" initial necklace from Tiffany's and a new handbag from Michael Kors. The handbag is covered in "MK" print for the designer, but for me the MK's stand for Morris Keith.
Saturday night we went to see Wicked on Broadway. I enjoyed the entire show, but there was a song at the end that made me tear up because it reminded me so much of the way I feel about you:
"Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes the sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a bird
In the wood
Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
And because I knew you...Merry Christmas Morris!
Because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good."
Love,
Mommy
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