Okay - call the Diet Police! I cheated on Monday... It was my first "David Letterman Stouffer's Mac-and-Cheese Moment" since December 23rd. In the end, it didn't even taste that good. And - oh my gosh - Scott got home early from Show Choir practice and caught me in the act!! I felt like that kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar!
So I ask you, why did I do that? I'm telling you, it was that familiar desperate reach for comfort food after an exhausting day and some very bad news. When I get exhausted, my will power heads straight for the hills. How about all of you?
Do I actually need a big neon sign on that bright orange box with a warning label that reads, "This kind of repeat behavior has a good chance of putting you in Jersey Shore Medical Center where doctors will break open your chest cavity while they put you on the heart-lung machine so your heart can keep a beat with the help of technology while they clear your clogged arteries. Your arteries will be filled with bad cholesterol from this Mac-and-Cheese you have sent through your system for 30 years?!" Gosh - logic tells us one thing; emotions beat to a drum that will take us off that cliff whenever we're not careful!
Sometimes I think about my own Mom's quest to find peaceful quiet moments during stressful times... She never sought comfort in food, but she grew up in a Salutatory Age of Smoking - meaning smoking was welcomed as an acceptable & fashionable habit which was picked up by lots of teenagers & young adults in the 1940's, 1950's and beyond. In those times, this act was greeted as some kind of tribal right-of-passage that everyone went through on their way to adulthood. And okay - let's join the chorus... Big Tobacco's marketing and advertising campaigns were the best Madison Avenue had to offer in those days! Yes - even that hunk - 'The Marlboro Man' - died of cancer.
Some people could stop the habit on a dime; for others - like Mom - they'd engage in a lifetime-of-trying and they still could not quit. My hazel-blue eyes were fixated on her throughout my elementary school years and I mostly saw the strongest and smartest woman I had ever known. By 8th grade, Mom had all of us convinced that we could become President of the United States if we put our minds to it. Eight kids make for a lot of mouths and egos to feed, but she found time to be everyone else's rock too - a special person so many turned to & called on for help - and I mean "everyone" including friend, stranger and foe alike! If you knew the teens who turned to the embrace and warmth of my parents for help between the 1960's and the 1980's or counted how many actaully lived in our home - your definition of "selfless" would be altered forever.
The term "selfless" would stay with Mom until the day she died. In the early years, it never dawned on me that perhaps she never left enough time or energy for herself... How did she do it, I started wondering when my own kids arrived? At times, could it be that exhaustion and bad news impacted the quality of her life too?
What I do know is that she waged a 35 year valiant & silent battle that was really no ones business until now. I remember her wearing the nicotine patches, literally smoking pipes and cigars, attending hypnosis & smoking cessation courses with her friend Jude at Ocean County College, chewing that special gum, and submersing entire cartons of cigarettes in wastebaskets of water to banish the tangible temptation from our house.
In our living room on Lincoln Avenue, she was ahead of her time as she exercised-for-endorphins to the greatest hits of Herb Albert & the Tijuana Brass before there were ever aerobic classes in any neighborhood, (Scott - that's where my love affair with brass instruments started!!). She walked on the beaches in Pt. Pleasant with the best of friends like Barbara Fioretti, Joan Spiegle and her sister, Mary; cleaned our house like a fiend to eliminate the smell of smoke, (I'm talking wall washing & windows open in winter here gang!), etc... I never put these efforts into one paragraph before, but the reality screams that my mother tried very hard so it was no wonder she would warn everyone to simply steer clear of this deadly habit that is so hard for many people to break.
As I anxiously waited for her to survive through multiple vascular surgeries of the leg, neck and beyond, followed by quadruple open heart surgery and abdominal aortic surgery, the painful message regarding nicotine could not be more clear. In an unbelieveable moment, she requested I drive her straight to the 7-11 for cigarettes as the first stop from heart surgery to home. I didn't want to; and I knew others would have made a different decision, but I did it. Mom was sitting in my car with a heart-shaped pillow protecting the giant incision up-and-down her chest and she was suffering. My gosh - It had been hard enough to watch her in this struggle with herself when she was strong, so pushing back when she was physically weak was not an option.
After I purchased those cigarettes, I began to cry because it felt as if the razor-sharp scalpels used to save her life had just etched a message in my gut that I knew one day I would write to honor her and how hard she tried: "Don't do as I did; just don't smoke!"
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 20/51
Quote of the Day: "Where there is a will, there is a way."
- The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Nashville Send-Off Celebration Like No Other!
We interrupt this Blog for an IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
The Point Pleasant Show Choir and Madrigal Singers have conquered the Lincoln Center Jazz Festival in NYC, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, the Boston Music Festival with three Superior Awards and the hearts of music lovers everywhere… Ladies & Gentlemen, the next stop is Nashville, Tennessee where they will compete in the nationally known Heritage Music Festival!!
Life will be a Cabaret on Saturday, April 10th as proud parents & fans transform Jenkinson’s Boardwalk into a remarkable Supper Club Experience to support these gifted world-class performers and their incredible teacher as they head into this national competition!
Location: 401 Ocean Avenue & Central Ave - Boardwalk Bar, Grill & Arcade!
Time: 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. – Jenkinsons welcomes all after 9 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 10th – the Saturday following Easter Sunday
Donation: $20 Adult – includes hot buffet, 2 beverages– soda, draft beer or wine.
$5 Child (12 & under) AND we hand you back $5.00 in QUARTERS!
Children can explore Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Rides or Arcade!
Plus: Door Prizes, Cash Bar, Free Lot Parking, Brick Oven Pizza Tasting!
A “Gathering Post” with a view of the Atlantic Ocean is open on second floor!!
While you dine on chicken, pasta and assorted items cooked to perfection, these SENSATIONAL competitive artists from Pt. Pleasant Borough High School will literally sing their hearts out for their Nashville supper!
This Showcase-of-Excellence also includes a program of contemporary music performed by The Key West Crabs - Patrick & Joanna! And - the drum roll please! We also have a Special Guest Star…
In a salute to the ceremony and tradition that is the Grande Ole Oprey, Pt. Pleasants’ own 85 year old Patriarch – John ‘Tis’ Himself Conaghan - will perform on his hand carved instruments. Join this remarkable “Master of the Fiddle” as he honors these kids with a Nashville Send-Off Celebration like no other!
100% of all ticket sales go directly to the Pt. Pleasant Borough Show Choir, so all donations/checks must be made payable to the group. Tickets will be available at the door or you can mail ticket requests with your check (payable to PPB Show Choir) & include your phone# to: Tish Ferguson, Mad Mamma Supper Club Chairperson @ 2404 Maria Place Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742 OR Call Hotline @ (732)714-8483 to reserve your tickets now. We promise you will clap your hands and stomp your feet all the way home!!!!
Who has time to step when you're planning something like this! Love to all!
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score for the Show Choir - Join Us!
The Point Pleasant Show Choir and Madrigal Singers have conquered the Lincoln Center Jazz Festival in NYC, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, the Boston Music Festival with three Superior Awards and the hearts of music lovers everywhere… Ladies & Gentlemen, the next stop is Nashville, Tennessee where they will compete in the nationally known Heritage Music Festival!!
Life will be a Cabaret on Saturday, April 10th as proud parents & fans transform Jenkinson’s Boardwalk into a remarkable Supper Club Experience to support these gifted world-class performers and their incredible teacher as they head into this national competition!
Location: 401 Ocean Avenue & Central Ave - Boardwalk Bar, Grill & Arcade!
Time: 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. – Jenkinsons welcomes all after 9 p.m.
Date: Saturday, April 10th – the Saturday following Easter Sunday
Donation: $20 Adult – includes hot buffet, 2 beverages– soda, draft beer or wine.
$5 Child (12 & under) AND we hand you back $5.00 in QUARTERS!
Children can explore Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Rides or Arcade!
Plus: Door Prizes, Cash Bar, Free Lot Parking, Brick Oven Pizza Tasting!
A “Gathering Post” with a view of the Atlantic Ocean is open on second floor!!
While you dine on chicken, pasta and assorted items cooked to perfection, these SENSATIONAL competitive artists from Pt. Pleasant Borough High School will literally sing their hearts out for their Nashville supper!
This Showcase-of-Excellence also includes a program of contemporary music performed by The Key West Crabs - Patrick & Joanna! And - the drum roll please! We also have a Special Guest Star…
In a salute to the ceremony and tradition that is the Grande Ole Oprey, Pt. Pleasants’ own 85 year old Patriarch – John ‘Tis’ Himself Conaghan - will perform on his hand carved instruments. Join this remarkable “Master of the Fiddle” as he honors these kids with a Nashville Send-Off Celebration like no other!
100% of all ticket sales go directly to the Pt. Pleasant Borough Show Choir, so all donations/checks must be made payable to the group. Tickets will be available at the door or you can mail ticket requests with your check (payable to PPB Show Choir) & include your phone# to: Tish Ferguson, Mad Mamma Supper Club Chairperson @ 2404 Maria Place Pt. Pleasant, NJ 08742 OR Call Hotline @ (732)714-8483 to reserve your tickets now. We promise you will clap your hands and stomp your feet all the way home!!!!
Who has time to step when you're planning something like this! Love to all!
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score for the Show Choir - Join Us!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
With Love From Mom: "Fear is the Mind-Killer"
One final important note about that trip to London:
Along with many others determined to be defined by how we live, my Harry and I left London that summer amid the highest security at Heathrow Airport and beyond...
Unfortunately, amidst the wonderment of this vacation two thought-out but failed attempts at carnage were staged by terrorists at crime scenes one block from our hotel near Trafalgar Square. I admit that I was more scared than Harry. He's so much braver than me.
Our trip on the underground subway after the news arrived created a sense of nerve-wracking chaos as a massive amount of people made their way to the surface grasping for the light of day. As a precaution, we too made our way above ground and walked the five miles back to our hotel. Museums and theaters across the city closed, so we rearranged a few of our tours. When Harry went to sleep, like the night stalker I can become when anxiety strikes - I got up and quietly watched the media reports of the carnage over and over again. It was not a healthy thing to do and I can't tell you why I did it. It was like, this can't be happening again... Not here. Not now. Please, God, I prayed, just get us home safely to our Kate and Scott.
Armed guards were in full view along the highways and on top of buildings. Machine guns and bomb sniffing dogs were within our reach as their presence was leveraged by the British government to mitigate the risk of additional car bombings and suicide missions. And there I was - a mom from New Jersey - completely reminded of 9/11 and all those hard times that followed in New York City. I had lived all these safety precautions before when we defiantly returned to our jobs in Downtown Manhattan to do our part to heal the broken city we loved.
To be honest, because of these events (and the news reports I couldn't escape from)- that post-traumatic stress "thing" that I talked about in another Blog entry crept up on me in London bringing on a sense of sadness that paralyzed my senses for a while. But I was so determined... I had waited a lifetime to get here, so I could not allow a mood nourished by fear to steal my London moments from me! My internal struggle as I toured St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London was real, but I fought like hell to not let these horrific circumstances blind me to everything that was beautiful around me. 9/11 taught me that if you do that, "they" win.
It felt very far from home for a couple of days as we walked along the Thames River, but through it all we were comforted by the common language of heroes who eloquently ushered in calm through courageous acts and deeds.
For us, the sights and history that collided as we toured Paris and the United Kingdom over those twelve days reminded us once again that creating an uptick in security anywhere in the world has always demanded bold steps from courageous heads of state, creative innovation from the thought leaders of our time and flawless execution.
When we made it home to Pt. Pleasant, we hugged our kids with an energy I cannot describe. The sparkle in their eyes and the warmth of their embrace reminded me that demanding less from world leaders can never be an option.
Harry and I had the time of our life in the Summer of 2007. No terrorist could steal that from us.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 20/51
Quote of the Day: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Frank Herbert
Along with many others determined to be defined by how we live, my Harry and I left London that summer amid the highest security at Heathrow Airport and beyond...
Unfortunately, amidst the wonderment of this vacation two thought-out but failed attempts at carnage were staged by terrorists at crime scenes one block from our hotel near Trafalgar Square. I admit that I was more scared than Harry. He's so much braver than me.
Our trip on the underground subway after the news arrived created a sense of nerve-wracking chaos as a massive amount of people made their way to the surface grasping for the light of day. As a precaution, we too made our way above ground and walked the five miles back to our hotel. Museums and theaters across the city closed, so we rearranged a few of our tours. When Harry went to sleep, like the night stalker I can become when anxiety strikes - I got up and quietly watched the media reports of the carnage over and over again. It was not a healthy thing to do and I can't tell you why I did it. It was like, this can't be happening again... Not here. Not now. Please, God, I prayed, just get us home safely to our Kate and Scott.
Armed guards were in full view along the highways and on top of buildings. Machine guns and bomb sniffing dogs were within our reach as their presence was leveraged by the British government to mitigate the risk of additional car bombings and suicide missions. And there I was - a mom from New Jersey - completely reminded of 9/11 and all those hard times that followed in New York City. I had lived all these safety precautions before when we defiantly returned to our jobs in Downtown Manhattan to do our part to heal the broken city we loved.
To be honest, because of these events (and the news reports I couldn't escape from)- that post-traumatic stress "thing" that I talked about in another Blog entry crept up on me in London bringing on a sense of sadness that paralyzed my senses for a while. But I was so determined... I had waited a lifetime to get here, so I could not allow a mood nourished by fear to steal my London moments from me! My internal struggle as I toured St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London was real, but I fought like hell to not let these horrific circumstances blind me to everything that was beautiful around me. 9/11 taught me that if you do that, "they" win.
It felt very far from home for a couple of days as we walked along the Thames River, but through it all we were comforted by the common language of heroes who eloquently ushered in calm through courageous acts and deeds.
For us, the sights and history that collided as we toured Paris and the United Kingdom over those twelve days reminded us once again that creating an uptick in security anywhere in the world has always demanded bold steps from courageous heads of state, creative innovation from the thought leaders of our time and flawless execution.
When we made it home to Pt. Pleasant, we hugged our kids with an energy I cannot describe. The sparkle in their eyes and the warmth of their embrace reminded me that demanding less from world leaders can never be an option.
Harry and I had the time of our life in the Summer of 2007. No terrorist could steal that from us.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 20/51
Quote of the Day: "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."
- Frank Herbert
Saturday, February 27, 2010
In London: May You Kneel Where My Knees Knelt
Kudos to all of you in the Blogoshpere! I want to thank some of you for the feedback you sent to Tish509@comcast.net which actually identified a life-long Tish Challenge... Okay. You're ALL correct! Too "many" of my Blog Entries are too long!! So today, I'm going to work to make them shorter!! I'm going to try!!!!!!!
Anyway, I wanted to take you back across the pond today... This time to London! This destination was the second stop of our whirlwind 12 Day Tour of France and England and once again eleven hours of walking per day, (step, step, step...) trying to cover as many of the 66 square miles as possible of this enchanting city cut in two by the Thames River and lined with beautiful parks, gardens, 17,000 historic buildings, and 200 museums. The first question: Where on earth do we start?!!
Oh my gosh - after checking into our hotel at The Royal Horseguards - we loved every minute as we walked through the heart of every place we had ever dreamed of: Hyde Park, the Piccadilly Circus Area, Trafalgar Square and beyond... We were exhilarated and somber all at once as we tracked the great palaces of the City of Westminster. We went from Buckingham Palace, to Big Ben, to Winston Churchill's underground bunker in the Imperial War Museum, to Parliament and its amazing Victoria Tower (the largest square tower in the world!). We stood at 10 Downing Street as Tony Blair prepared to exit his residence on his last day office. The press was everywhere as his motorcade escorted him to Parliment to deliver his last speech. The new Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on the way... We couldn't believe it - historic sites and history in the making! It was just great!
Then on to Shakespeare's Globe, Thames House, The National Gallery... and onward to the utterly amazing and haunting Westminster Abbey - where world history, faith, all art forms, cultures, and the light and dark sides of humanity collide under one roof. I don't know how to explain it, but we were both left with a strange sense of tension that lingered for hours after we finished this tour. But no worries - a ten minute cab ride across London lightened the mood as we enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes Museum and later laughed uncontrollably as Harry acted out a Sargent Pepper Trek across the real Abbey Road! As horns honked, we got the message that locals would have much preferred we go home and "Let It Be!"
The mind-boggling and gruesome history of the Tower of London stopped Harry and I in our tracks... Harry was mesmerized and all day he really missed the kids as he tried to imagine what their reaction would be to this unbelievable country. I actually felt a tad ill as we passed through chambers filled with the olden day tools of torture in the White Tower. I literally walked off the tour a few times to get some fresh air. But the Tower Bridge and all its splendor of Victorian architecture was a beautiful diversion to focus on when the history of William the Conqueror got to be too much! It was so emotional... One minute we were caught up in the artistic wonder of what we were staring at and in the next moment the history simply blew us away! It was literally exhausting at times.
And there we were again with a view from the top-of-the-world on The Modern Day Eye - that huge Ferris Wheel built for the Millennium celebration. This wonderful experience with my Harry somehow usurped my fear of heights. Those who know me would absolutely call this a miracle! (Oh yes - I had a rough time at the Grand Canyon and on that glass escalator in Trump Tower in NYC!) But here... I felt no fear. Encased by glass and encircled by this view, I was grateful for this moment.
We took buses through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. On our way to Shakespeare's birthplace @ Stratford on the Avon and Exeter University in Oxford, our guide provided an awesome listening tour-through-time highlighting what was special about each suburb. We loved it as we travelled through a collection of charming villages - each with its own unique history and character. To impress our Kate, we also shopped at Harrod's and had dinner at Gordon Ramsey's where we pretended we were the #1 Fans of his hit show, Hell's Kitchen. My gosh - it "literally" cost a King's Ransom, but we ate like an English king and queen for sure!
For me, our stop at London's 1400 year old St. Paul's Cathedral was the personal highlight of my summer journey. During our exploration of the massive Dome, all the Crypts and Galleries surrounding the Nave, and the Quire, this place of peace, retreat, and worship (Here I go again...) literally moved me to tears. Harry climbed the 163 steps to the incredible Whispering Gallery in the Dome itself. I did not. No steps for me after the Arc de Triomphe just to to be safe, so I walked alone for a while. Nothing could prepare me for what I would feel as I reached the back of this cathedral... nothing.
In back of the highest alter I'd ever seen and tucked behind the Roll of Honor in a place called the Apse is the American Memorial Chapel - the people of Britain built this chapel as a gift to America to honor our men & women who had fought for peace during World Wars I & II. I stood silent inside this place of reverence with chills running up-and-down my spine as I read the inscriptions on the walls honoring those who gave all so others could live. It was humbling that our great nation had such a meaningful place in this cathedral and her 1400 year history.
Every aunt, uncle and friend who had ever served in the Armed Forces found their way to me in this chapel and my heart was engulfed by their presence and warmth. What their sacrifices and service meant to people of other nations was never more succinctly clear to me. This was my moment - a miraculous and all-consuming feeling swept me away to a beautiful place unknown which connected every cherished dot in my life. When I exited that chapel to reunite with Harry, physically it felt as if I had just climbed the 163 steps to the Whispering Gallery. (Wow - I've been trying to describe what happened to me in the American Memorial Chapel @ St. Paul's Cathedral for almost 3 years and I think I just did it!)
I can't wait until Kate and Scott kneel where my knees knelt on that beautiful June day in 2007.
How about if I start my "shorter" Blog entries tomorrow - okay?
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 20/51
Quote of the Day:
"This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England."
William Shakespeare, "King Richard II"
Anyway, I wanted to take you back across the pond today... This time to London! This destination was the second stop of our whirlwind 12 Day Tour of France and England and once again eleven hours of walking per day, (step, step, step...) trying to cover as many of the 66 square miles as possible of this enchanting city cut in two by the Thames River and lined with beautiful parks, gardens, 17,000 historic buildings, and 200 museums. The first question: Where on earth do we start?!!
Oh my gosh - after checking into our hotel at The Royal Horseguards - we loved every minute as we walked through the heart of every place we had ever dreamed of: Hyde Park, the Piccadilly Circus Area, Trafalgar Square and beyond... We were exhilarated and somber all at once as we tracked the great palaces of the City of Westminster. We went from Buckingham Palace, to Big Ben, to Winston Churchill's underground bunker in the Imperial War Museum, to Parliament and its amazing Victoria Tower (the largest square tower in the world!). We stood at 10 Downing Street as Tony Blair prepared to exit his residence on his last day office. The press was everywhere as his motorcade escorted him to Parliment to deliver his last speech. The new Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on the way... We couldn't believe it - historic sites and history in the making! It was just great!
Then on to Shakespeare's Globe, Thames House, The National Gallery... and onward to the utterly amazing and haunting Westminster Abbey - where world history, faith, all art forms, cultures, and the light and dark sides of humanity collide under one roof. I don't know how to explain it, but we were both left with a strange sense of tension that lingered for hours after we finished this tour. But no worries - a ten minute cab ride across London lightened the mood as we enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes Museum and later laughed uncontrollably as Harry acted out a Sargent Pepper Trek across the real Abbey Road! As horns honked, we got the message that locals would have much preferred we go home and "Let It Be!"
The mind-boggling and gruesome history of the Tower of London stopped Harry and I in our tracks... Harry was mesmerized and all day he really missed the kids as he tried to imagine what their reaction would be to this unbelievable country. I actually felt a tad ill as we passed through chambers filled with the olden day tools of torture in the White Tower. I literally walked off the tour a few times to get some fresh air. But the Tower Bridge and all its splendor of Victorian architecture was a beautiful diversion to focus on when the history of William the Conqueror got to be too much! It was so emotional... One minute we were caught up in the artistic wonder of what we were staring at and in the next moment the history simply blew us away! It was literally exhausting at times.
And there we were again with a view from the top-of-the-world on The Modern Day Eye - that huge Ferris Wheel built for the Millennium celebration. This wonderful experience with my Harry somehow usurped my fear of heights. Those who know me would absolutely call this a miracle! (Oh yes - I had a rough time at the Grand Canyon and on that glass escalator in Trump Tower in NYC!) But here... I felt no fear. Encased by glass and encircled by this view, I was grateful for this moment.
We took buses through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. On our way to Shakespeare's birthplace @ Stratford on the Avon and Exeter University in Oxford, our guide provided an awesome listening tour-through-time highlighting what was special about each suburb. We loved it as we travelled through a collection of charming villages - each with its own unique history and character. To impress our Kate, we also shopped at Harrod's and had dinner at Gordon Ramsey's where we pretended we were the #1 Fans of his hit show, Hell's Kitchen. My gosh - it "literally" cost a King's Ransom, but we ate like an English king and queen for sure!
For me, our stop at London's 1400 year old St. Paul's Cathedral was the personal highlight of my summer journey. During our exploration of the massive Dome, all the Crypts and Galleries surrounding the Nave, and the Quire, this place of peace, retreat, and worship (Here I go again...) literally moved me to tears. Harry climbed the 163 steps to the incredible Whispering Gallery in the Dome itself. I did not. No steps for me after the Arc de Triomphe just to to be safe, so I walked alone for a while. Nothing could prepare me for what I would feel as I reached the back of this cathedral... nothing.
In back of the highest alter I'd ever seen and tucked behind the Roll of Honor in a place called the Apse is the American Memorial Chapel - the people of Britain built this chapel as a gift to America to honor our men & women who had fought for peace during World Wars I & II. I stood silent inside this place of reverence with chills running up-and-down my spine as I read the inscriptions on the walls honoring those who gave all so others could live. It was humbling that our great nation had such a meaningful place in this cathedral and her 1400 year history.
Every aunt, uncle and friend who had ever served in the Armed Forces found their way to me in this chapel and my heart was engulfed by their presence and warmth. What their sacrifices and service meant to people of other nations was never more succinctly clear to me. This was my moment - a miraculous and all-consuming feeling swept me away to a beautiful place unknown which connected every cherished dot in my life. When I exited that chapel to reunite with Harry, physically it felt as if I had just climbed the 163 steps to the Whispering Gallery. (Wow - I've been trying to describe what happened to me in the American Memorial Chapel @ St. Paul's Cathedral for almost 3 years and I think I just did it!)
I can't wait until Kate and Scott kneel where my knees knelt on that beautiful June day in 2007.
How about if I start my "shorter" Blog entries tomorrow - okay?
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 20/51
Quote of the Day:
"This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England."
William Shakespeare, "King Richard II"
Thursday, February 25, 2010
With Pride, We Put the "FUN" in Dysfunctional!
I think I finally have an official Seasonal Disorder!! Snow, snow, snow...
Oh my gosh - It's snowing again! Call it wishful thinking, but spring in on my mind! Temperatures have been down in these parts and the wind chill has been in negative territory for too long. Nevertheless, I have been trying to think "spring", but it's not working! I'm sitting in my Jersey City office one block from the Hudson River and the visibility is so awful, I can't even see the water today! There's not even a chance that I'll make it home before 9 p.m. this evening!
For years, I've done this 3-to-5 hour round trip commuting routine on automatic pilot. I never thought about it and rarely complained, but this winter is starting to feel like some kind of test on whether or not Tish Ferguson will be able to weather all the decades in front of her. Do you think I'm getting old or something? Do you think this could be payback for loading 50 cousins into an Academy Bus to drive from New Jersey to Maryland to celebrate cousin Tom Brusgard's 40th Birthday in what we coined as, "The 1996 Irish Invasion of Maryland" which was unofficially sponsored by the "Association of the Humor Impaired"?!
Okay - I admit it! We invaded Maryland and when we were done Tom Brusgard couldn't get rid of us fast enough! After a lovely brunch at the Idle Hour, we rounded up as many Brusgard, Hart, Sharkey, Conaghan & extended cousins as we could find and tied them to their seats. Then we put our catered food and entertainment items in the baggage compartment and we were on our way. We played bingo & trivia games, gave out prizes and sang songs with Aunt Francis and her spectacular voice leading the way!
When we arrived in Annapolis, we sent two grim reapers to the front door to lure Tom out of the house so we could deliver a perfect 8-inch round birthday cake while all 50 cousins(and a couple of strangers too...) stood on Bev and Rod's front lawn with Fighting Irish and Over-the-Hill signs singing "Happy Birthday" three times in a row without stopping! We ended with a poignant verse of, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!" I'm telling you, with his mouth seemingly stuck open, Tom looked absolutely ill. I mean the guy could not speak!
Next we handed his wife Katie a dozen roses and told her we had actually liked her better all these years... and then we kidnapped both of them, along with their kids Jen and Eric, Bev and Rod, my brother Sean and his family and away we went for a whirlwind bus tour of the area.
We all wore T-shirts with a logo that screamed, "Tom Who?" as this magical bus made it's way to a beautiful Club House (loaned to all of us by Our Kirsten and Kevin - thank you guys!) and it was there that the second shoe of Tom's big surprise would drop on him like a ton of bricks! Tom's work colleagues met us at the door of this party destination and surprised him too!! And I'm telling you - our Tom never looked so frightened in his life. You see we figured out that he had talked about his family in NJ a little bit at the job, but he had probably forgotten to tell them that we actually put the "FUN" in dysfunctional!!! And by the way... we're damn proud of that fact!
Anyway, we had ourselves a blast enhanced by great food, cousins, so much fun, our Only-In-This-Family Awards Ceremony, Joe Fuller on the guitar, more cousins, bagpipers, wine, beer, soda, cake - easy for a 40 year old to chew, a poetry reading delivered by Cousin Kathy and Irish dancing... Positive energy filled the other room decorated to perfection as "historic" 35 mm films of Tom frolicking through the ages as a child mesmerized our crowd! We laughed and we laughed till we cried and we laughed...
Late in the night, we got back on that bus and I'm telling you the trip from Maryland to home in New Jersey was so quiet that it had to be obvious to passing motorists that we had just attended some older person's birthday party! I didn't realize Tom was actually pretty young that year until I attended his 50th Birthday Party ten years later! It's ridiculous how often I seem to find myself a whole decade off in these situations?!
Life is precious and one of the great things about plowing ahead with the plan to have Tom's Surprise Party - which was run by a force so much bigger than me and us and them - was that the smiles and laughter of all seven Brusgard children lit up the room as they were joined by their parents, Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris, and so many cherished relatives from so many corners of our life including Aunt Marie, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Joe, Aunt Francis, Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Dick, Cousin Pat Kendall, Aunt Elle, Uncle Dan, Aunt Margie, Cousin Maggie DeNuggi... and the rest of you know who you are.
Sadly, our fun-loving and beloved Uncle Chris Brusgard would unexpectedly pass away just a few months after this glorious event. I often look back on this celebration which successfully honored Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris too - as we thanked them for giving us our Tom! When I focus on all those wonderful moments that were woven together by the circle-of-our-family that day... I feel only joy.
Now back to the snow. If this endless weather keeps up, I'm warning you to picture this: It was a snowy day on February 25th 2010 and Cousin Tish was driving down the NJ Turnpike, and her cell phone rang. Picking up, she heard Kate, her voice high with anxiety, warn her, "Mommy, I just saw on the news that there's actually a car driving the wrong way on the Turnpike in New Jersey. Please be careful!"
"One?" I reply, "You've got to be kidding me. I see at least 200 hundred cars! Can you see the nearest rest stop on that Columbus news channel baby? Mommy needs to go!"
Don't worry kids. If it gets that bad, I'll learn to pull over.
Tonight, I have to remember it's only snow and I learned a long time ago that I can actually survive almost anything. Twenty-four years ago, my Uncle Chris walked me down the aisle the day I got married because my Dad could not. I was forever humbled.
Seventeen years ago, Cousin Tom and his enchanting wife Katie became Godparents to my Scott.
On both occasions, my heart was full and Irish eyes smiled. Forget the snow. Today, I'll let great memories rule the day to bring me warmth.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Oh my gosh - It's snowing again! Call it wishful thinking, but spring in on my mind! Temperatures have been down in these parts and the wind chill has been in negative territory for too long. Nevertheless, I have been trying to think "spring", but it's not working! I'm sitting in my Jersey City office one block from the Hudson River and the visibility is so awful, I can't even see the water today! There's not even a chance that I'll make it home before 9 p.m. this evening!
For years, I've done this 3-to-5 hour round trip commuting routine on automatic pilot. I never thought about it and rarely complained, but this winter is starting to feel like some kind of test on whether or not Tish Ferguson will be able to weather all the decades in front of her. Do you think I'm getting old or something? Do you think this could be payback for loading 50 cousins into an Academy Bus to drive from New Jersey to Maryland to celebrate cousin Tom Brusgard's 40th Birthday in what we coined as, "The 1996 Irish Invasion of Maryland" which was unofficially sponsored by the "Association of the Humor Impaired"?!
Okay - I admit it! We invaded Maryland and when we were done Tom Brusgard couldn't get rid of us fast enough! After a lovely brunch at the Idle Hour, we rounded up as many Brusgard, Hart, Sharkey, Conaghan & extended cousins as we could find and tied them to their seats. Then we put our catered food and entertainment items in the baggage compartment and we were on our way. We played bingo & trivia games, gave out prizes and sang songs with Aunt Francis and her spectacular voice leading the way!
When we arrived in Annapolis, we sent two grim reapers to the front door to lure Tom out of the house so we could deliver a perfect 8-inch round birthday cake while all 50 cousins(and a couple of strangers too...) stood on Bev and Rod's front lawn with Fighting Irish and Over-the-Hill signs singing "Happy Birthday" three times in a row without stopping! We ended with a poignant verse of, "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!" I'm telling you, with his mouth seemingly stuck open, Tom looked absolutely ill. I mean the guy could not speak!
Next we handed his wife Katie a dozen roses and told her we had actually liked her better all these years... and then we kidnapped both of them, along with their kids Jen and Eric, Bev and Rod, my brother Sean and his family and away we went for a whirlwind bus tour of the area.
We all wore T-shirts with a logo that screamed, "Tom Who?" as this magical bus made it's way to a beautiful Club House (loaned to all of us by Our Kirsten and Kevin - thank you guys!) and it was there that the second shoe of Tom's big surprise would drop on him like a ton of bricks! Tom's work colleagues met us at the door of this party destination and surprised him too!! And I'm telling you - our Tom never looked so frightened in his life. You see we figured out that he had talked about his family in NJ a little bit at the job, but he had probably forgotten to tell them that we actually put the "FUN" in dysfunctional!!! And by the way... we're damn proud of that fact!
Anyway, we had ourselves a blast enhanced by great food, cousins, so much fun, our Only-In-This-Family Awards Ceremony, Joe Fuller on the guitar, more cousins, bagpipers, wine, beer, soda, cake - easy for a 40 year old to chew, a poetry reading delivered by Cousin Kathy and Irish dancing... Positive energy filled the other room decorated to perfection as "historic" 35 mm films of Tom frolicking through the ages as a child mesmerized our crowd! We laughed and we laughed till we cried and we laughed...
Late in the night, we got back on that bus and I'm telling you the trip from Maryland to home in New Jersey was so quiet that it had to be obvious to passing motorists that we had just attended some older person's birthday party! I didn't realize Tom was actually pretty young that year until I attended his 50th Birthday Party ten years later! It's ridiculous how often I seem to find myself a whole decade off in these situations?!
Life is precious and one of the great things about plowing ahead with the plan to have Tom's Surprise Party - which was run by a force so much bigger than me and us and them - was that the smiles and laughter of all seven Brusgard children lit up the room as they were joined by their parents, Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris, and so many cherished relatives from so many corners of our life including Aunt Marie, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Joe, Aunt Francis, Aunt Marilyn & Uncle Dick, Cousin Pat Kendall, Aunt Elle, Uncle Dan, Aunt Margie, Cousin Maggie DeNuggi... and the rest of you know who you are.
Sadly, our fun-loving and beloved Uncle Chris Brusgard would unexpectedly pass away just a few months after this glorious event. I often look back on this celebration which successfully honored Aunt Mary and Uncle Chris too - as we thanked them for giving us our Tom! When I focus on all those wonderful moments that were woven together by the circle-of-our-family that day... I feel only joy.
Now back to the snow. If this endless weather keeps up, I'm warning you to picture this: It was a snowy day on February 25th 2010 and Cousin Tish was driving down the NJ Turnpike, and her cell phone rang. Picking up, she heard Kate, her voice high with anxiety, warn her, "Mommy, I just saw on the news that there's actually a car driving the wrong way on the Turnpike in New Jersey. Please be careful!"
"One?" I reply, "You've got to be kidding me. I see at least 200 hundred cars! Can you see the nearest rest stop on that Columbus news channel baby? Mommy needs to go!"
Don't worry kids. If it gets that bad, I'll learn to pull over.
Tonight, I have to remember it's only snow and I learned a long time ago that I can actually survive almost anything. Twenty-four years ago, my Uncle Chris walked me down the aisle the day I got married because my Dad could not. I was forever humbled.
Seventeen years ago, Cousin Tom and his enchanting wife Katie became Godparents to my Scott.
On both occasions, my heart was full and Irish eyes smiled. Forget the snow. Today, I'll let great memories rule the day to bring me warmth.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "Sunshine cannot bleach the snow, Nor time unmake what poets know”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Music To Our Ears: Bravo Scott!
Step, step, step...
On Saturday, February 12th, we attended the 47th annual concert of the
All-Shore Chorus at Red Bank Regional High School in Little Silver. Since there was consensus to add a modern day vibe to this 46 year old show, this year's repertoire and performance changes successfully showcased artistic excellence at its finest.
We sat in awe as 135 gifted students, who were selected from 36 area high schools (including Pt. Pleasant Borough High School Sophomore, SCOTT FERGUSON!!), came together as one glorious voice exercising their art through the common language of music. Every year, they only have one month to practice, so obviously this group effort succeeds because these students are lucky enough to be embraced by the dedication of music teachers and directors from the participating schools whose ability to transfer knowledge stretches their talent and confidence in ways that empower them to transcend the expectations of their audiences every single time. These kids were spectacular! My Scott was the tallest on the risers and we have the pictures to prove it! If you don't believe me, write me @ tish509@comcast.net and I'll send you a copy. (Thanks for bringing your camera Aunt Mary G; and for forwarding the pictures from your computer! I was too busy picking up my mother-of-the-year award to remember my camera!! I know we have more pictures of Katie! Sorry about that Scott, but you have to stop counting the 4,000 we took in during Kate's first 6 months... This happens in all families: Just ask Cousin Sheila and Uncle Brendo!)
Anyway...The choir belted out contemporary tunes like Born to Run which followed a cappella efforts and solemn renditions of Dominus regnavit, decorum indutus est and O Magnum Mysterium. The orchestra, production staff, Beth Moore - the accompanist, and Kristopher Zook, the program manager were all tremendous. Congratulations to all who participated and for delivering a performance of the highest caliber. It was a privilege to be in attendance.
This magnificent effort was led by Conductor Joseph Cantaffa, a three-time member of the All Shore Chorus and currently Entertainment Techology Instructor in the Fine and Performing Arts Center program at Howell High School. Kudos to Mr. Cantaffa! His remarkable contributions gave this year's audience a diverse musical program, staged visuals and a multimedia video feature - all of which honored the rich history and tradition of this remarkable organization which has been dedicated to the success of student musicians for 47 years.
Conductor Cantaffa was quoted in the February 5th Asbury Park Press as saying, "It genuinely means the world to me" to return as a guest conductor of the All Shore Chorus 20 years later.
If I could reach out and speak to Mr. Cantaffa right now, I'd say, "Well sir, it meant the world to us to watch you at your best on Saturday, February 12th. We appreciated all your efforts that allowed our Scott to shine and for helping the entire All Shore Chorus succeed for the 47th year in a row! Sometimes, a mom's evening doesn't get better than this." :)
Harry, Aunt Mary Gunsiorowski, Aunt Mary Brusgard and I thoroughly enjoyed the show!
Aunt Mary B. ended up in the hospital the very next day, but AMEN because she's 100% herself again. When she was at home and feeling better, I sent her flowers with a note that read, "Thinking of you... Was it the company or Scott's singing on Saturday Night??!!" As usual, we both roared with laughter!
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "You'll know what music to your ears means when you hear it."
- I just made this up because I'm in a hurry! Love to all.
On Saturday, February 12th, we attended the 47th annual concert of the
All-Shore Chorus at Red Bank Regional High School in Little Silver. Since there was consensus to add a modern day vibe to this 46 year old show, this year's repertoire and performance changes successfully showcased artistic excellence at its finest.
We sat in awe as 135 gifted students, who were selected from 36 area high schools (including Pt. Pleasant Borough High School Sophomore, SCOTT FERGUSON!!), came together as one glorious voice exercising their art through the common language of music. Every year, they only have one month to practice, so obviously this group effort succeeds because these students are lucky enough to be embraced by the dedication of music teachers and directors from the participating schools whose ability to transfer knowledge stretches their talent and confidence in ways that empower them to transcend the expectations of their audiences every single time. These kids were spectacular! My Scott was the tallest on the risers and we have the pictures to prove it! If you don't believe me, write me @ tish509@comcast.net and I'll send you a copy. (Thanks for bringing your camera Aunt Mary G; and for forwarding the pictures from your computer! I was too busy picking up my mother-of-the-year award to remember my camera!! I know we have more pictures of Katie! Sorry about that Scott, but you have to stop counting the 4,000 we took in during Kate's first 6 months... This happens in all families: Just ask Cousin Sheila and Uncle Brendo!)
Anyway...The choir belted out contemporary tunes like Born to Run which followed a cappella efforts and solemn renditions of Dominus regnavit, decorum indutus est and O Magnum Mysterium. The orchestra, production staff, Beth Moore - the accompanist, and Kristopher Zook, the program manager were all tremendous. Congratulations to all who participated and for delivering a performance of the highest caliber. It was a privilege to be in attendance.
This magnificent effort was led by Conductor Joseph Cantaffa, a three-time member of the All Shore Chorus and currently Entertainment Techology Instructor in the Fine and Performing Arts Center program at Howell High School. Kudos to Mr. Cantaffa! His remarkable contributions gave this year's audience a diverse musical program, staged visuals and a multimedia video feature - all of which honored the rich history and tradition of this remarkable organization which has been dedicated to the success of student musicians for 47 years.
Conductor Cantaffa was quoted in the February 5th Asbury Park Press as saying, "It genuinely means the world to me" to return as a guest conductor of the All Shore Chorus 20 years later.
If I could reach out and speak to Mr. Cantaffa right now, I'd say, "Well sir, it meant the world to us to watch you at your best on Saturday, February 12th. We appreciated all your efforts that allowed our Scott to shine and for helping the entire All Shore Chorus succeed for the 47th year in a row! Sometimes, a mom's evening doesn't get better than this." :)
Harry, Aunt Mary Gunsiorowski, Aunt Mary Brusgard and I thoroughly enjoyed the show!
Aunt Mary B. ended up in the hospital the very next day, but AMEN because she's 100% herself again. When she was at home and feeling better, I sent her flowers with a note that read, "Thinking of you... Was it the company or Scott's singing on Saturday Night??!!" As usual, we both roared with laughter!
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "You'll know what music to your ears means when you hear it."
- I just made this up because I'm in a hurry! Love to all.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Harry & Tish: "We Will Always Have Paris!"
Step, step, step.... I stepped it up yesterday and logged 5,000 steps on my treadmill at home, but I still haven't had a minute to get to my brand new gym - Brick Fitness. Geographically speaking, I'm just all over the place between 3 states four days a week (NJ, NY & PA) and I'm out of Pt. Pleasant from at least 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on those days. This reality definitely makes the scheduled gym commitment hard. I know TishTrek - my 51/51 Challenge is a lifestyle change that has to align with my desired personal goals, so give me a little more time and I know I'll figure out how to do this.
In the meantime, I plan on traveling abroad again in the near future so this Health and Wellness Journey is important to make sure I can maximize my enjoyment wherever I land in the world. You see - in the Summer of 2007, when Harry and I visited France and England, I had no clue that my original pacemaker was on the last bar of its battery pack until I started climbing the 284 steps of the stunning Paris landmark called the Arc de Triomphe De l'Etolile which stands 264 feet in height, 150feet wide and 72 feet deep. The Arc has one elevator, but it was out-of-service for repairs that day.
As Harry and I made our way up the extremely narrow and dark stairwell, to my surprise I had to stop many times and stick my behind into these small cement cubby holes to rest (ok - they weren't that small) and catch my breath while other tourists passed me by. I could feel my heart racing... "Please God," I prayed. "Don't let me land in a hospital on this side of the pond. Don't let this happen to my Harry on our dream vacation." This difficult sweat-producing effort seemed odd for a girl who had jogged for thirty years, but I had waited my whole adult life to walk up these steps, so there was simply no stopping me... Onward and upward had to be the focus. I did not look back.
As you know, the monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806 and the triumphal arch honors those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the Arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. Underneath is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. All this history we had brushed up on, but none of it could prepare us for the range of experiences that would play out...
When we arrived at the top, the first magnificent moments exceeded everything we had ever dreamed of. This awesome monument stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle and it is at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, so Harry and I felt like we were actually standing in the center of the universe! The spectacular panoramic view from the roof of the Arc on this beautiful clear summer day moved Harry and I to complete silence. We imagined what it would have been like to absorb this country's history and to see this view for the very first time with our Kate and Scott in tow. For a moment, (albeit a brief one...) we really missed them very much. We knew they would have loved everything about Paris.
With our arms around each other we looked eastward, down the Champs Elysées, toward the Louvre, there was the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. We had visited all of these historic places before making our way to the Arc, so observing these French treasures from on top of the world created one of those unbelievable shared moments in our married life. When we looked westward - the Arc's larger and newer cousin, La Grande Arche de la Défense stared back at us; and there was my Eiffel Tower and the Tour Montparnasse in a distance! For the rest of our lives - "Harry and I would always have Paris" because our two beating hearts finally lived this timeless dream as one.
Some practical advice for the 1st time traveler to Paris: The area in and around the Arc de Triomphe will remind you of New York City's Times Square before it was turned into a Pedestrian Mall. It is surrounded by reckless French drivers (like the ones on the NJ Turnpike every morning...) traveling in their cars at high speeds on twelve major avenues leading to the Place de l'Étoile and to the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands. My message: Pedestrians beware! Use the underground passages when you can!
It was our Summer of 2007, when we left Paris to take the high speed Eurostar passenger train through the Channel Tunnel (The Chunnel!) from France to England with the goal of making more great memories! Harry used to work for the American Society of Civil Engineers which in 1996 had identified this undersea rail tunnel as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Like two kids in a candy shop, we were absolutely ecstatic that seeing this wonder first hand could be crossed off our Bucket Lists!
Obviously, I enjoyed myself on both sides of the English Channel and - with the help of God - after that little scare on the steps inside the Arc De Triomphe, my pacemaker issue stayed calm for the rest of our vacation. I got another Tish Reprieve until November and felt truly blessed.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "We will always have Paris."
- Casablanca, 1942 (One of Harry's Favorite Movies!)
In the meantime, I plan on traveling abroad again in the near future so this Health and Wellness Journey is important to make sure I can maximize my enjoyment wherever I land in the world. You see - in the Summer of 2007, when Harry and I visited France and England, I had no clue that my original pacemaker was on the last bar of its battery pack until I started climbing the 284 steps of the stunning Paris landmark called the Arc de Triomphe De l'Etolile which stands 264 feet in height, 150feet wide and 72 feet deep. The Arc has one elevator, but it was out-of-service for repairs that day.
As Harry and I made our way up the extremely narrow and dark stairwell, to my surprise I had to stop many times and stick my behind into these small cement cubby holes to rest (ok - they weren't that small) and catch my breath while other tourists passed me by. I could feel my heart racing... "Please God," I prayed. "Don't let me land in a hospital on this side of the pond. Don't let this happen to my Harry on our dream vacation." This difficult sweat-producing effort seemed odd for a girl who had jogged for thirty years, but I had waited my whole adult life to walk up these steps, so there was simply no stopping me... Onward and upward had to be the focus. I did not look back.
As you know, the monument was designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806 and the triumphal arch honors those who fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. On the inside and the top of the Arc there are all of the names of generals and wars fought. Underneath is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I. All this history we had brushed up on, but none of it could prepare us for the range of experiences that would play out...
When we arrived at the top, the first magnificent moments exceeded everything we had ever dreamed of. This awesome monument stands in the centre of the Place Charles de Gaulle and it is at the western end of the Champs-Élysées, so Harry and I felt like we were actually standing in the center of the universe! The spectacular panoramic view from the roof of the Arc on this beautiful clear summer day moved Harry and I to complete silence. We imagined what it would have been like to absorb this country's history and to see this view for the very first time with our Kate and Scott in tow. For a moment, (albeit a brief one...) we really missed them very much. We knew they would have loved everything about Paris.
With our arms around each other we looked eastward, down the Champs Elysées, toward the Louvre, there was the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Gardens, and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. We had visited all of these historic places before making our way to the Arc, so observing these French treasures from on top of the world created one of those unbelievable shared moments in our married life. When we looked westward - the Arc's larger and newer cousin, La Grande Arche de la Défense stared back at us; and there was my Eiffel Tower and the Tour Montparnasse in a distance! For the rest of our lives - "Harry and I would always have Paris" because our two beating hearts finally lived this timeless dream as one.
Some practical advice for the 1st time traveler to Paris: The area in and around the Arc de Triomphe will remind you of New York City's Times Square before it was turned into a Pedestrian Mall. It is surrounded by reckless French drivers (like the ones on the NJ Turnpike every morning...) traveling in their cars at high speeds on twelve major avenues leading to the Place de l'Étoile and to the exceptionally busy roundabout in which the Arc stands. My message: Pedestrians beware! Use the underground passages when you can!
It was our Summer of 2007, when we left Paris to take the high speed Eurostar passenger train through the Channel Tunnel (The Chunnel!) from France to England with the goal of making more great memories! Harry used to work for the American Society of Civil Engineers which in 1996 had identified this undersea rail tunnel as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Like two kids in a candy shop, we were absolutely ecstatic that seeing this wonder first hand could be crossed off our Bucket Lists!
Obviously, I enjoyed myself on both sides of the English Channel and - with the help of God - after that little scare on the steps inside the Arc De Triomphe, my pacemaker issue stayed calm for the rest of our vacation. I got another Tish Reprieve until November and felt truly blessed.
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 16/51
Quote of the Day: "We will always have Paris."
- Casablanca, 1942 (One of Harry's Favorite Movies!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
