Long, long ago, I lived on an island, far out in the sea. I lived in an weathered, gray, clapboard house with nurses and healthcare professionals, and we worked together in a tiny island hospital. We had few resources, but we had moxie to spare. It was magnificent. The time I spent there and the friendships I made changed me. But life evolves, and each one of us eventually left the island to search for our futures elsewhere. Fate scattered us, as Fate cares so little for geography. We held reunions every other year, and did so successfully for quite some time…but again…life evolved. 5 years passed, and we said, “Enough Fate! Enough!” New York City was the plan, and we set our flags in the ground. HARD.

Grandpa stabilized, and with 2 hours of sleep and my first shower in days, I threw some clothes in a bag and I GOT ON THAT PLANE. The world’s greatest travel buddies met me for the most fun-packed 48 hours of my year. And here’s the best part: we planned NONE of it. As I disembarked, Ruthie and Mia awaited my agenda. I always have an agenda. Minute-to-minute plans so we can squeeze the juice right out of our adventures. But…life evolves, and so have I. No plans. No itinerary. No agenda. We’ve all been to NYC many times. I thought it might be a nice change of pace to let it unfold before us.

Only The World’s Best Travel Buddies would agree to such flexibility, and so rather than force ourselves upon New York, we allowed New York to greet us. After grabbing a bargain on a double-decker bus tour with hop-on, hop-off service, we found the best idea of the weekend. Rather than using rushed cabs and subways, we moved slowly through the city, jumping off to sight-see or shop, and then meandering back to grab a bus to wherever caught our fancy. Audio tour? Sure! In the areas with which we were unfamiliar. Other times? We just enjoyed the breeze and visited.

A Drag Queen Dinner Show, some exhilarating bargain shopping, reflective moments at Ground Zero, and non-stop laughter over an antipasta platter and a carafe of Sangria. New York unfolded it’s best. Browsing through the Pearl River Mart, buying one special Grandpa some Yankee gear (his first question upon awakening was how many Yankee games had he missed?), the world’s best shakes and burgers inside Grand Central Station, and burning out our feet and hips on 5th Avenue. Oh yes, New York unfolded it’s classic offerings. Sushi, a tour of Harlem I’ve long wanted to take, streets in Little Italy shutting down for foot traffic-only on Saturday nights, pastries, and more laughter. Do H&M’s outnumber Starbucks, or vice versa? Oh New York…you never disappoint. Street food near midnight on Times Square, ping pong players dueling it out in parks at late hours with full audiences, and passing one of my favorite celebrity chefs as he was out for a jog. NEW YORK! You slay me with unexpectedness!

But…as all good adventures must do, it ended all too soon. In a blink, we hugged each other goodbye at our gates, and flew back to our own realities. Mia’s in Vermont, Ruthie’s in North Carolina, and mine, here in Indiana. 2 little angels I had not hugged in a week were waiting anxiously at the door. They had stories too! A week with Goomommy and Goodaddy and the family in Virginia?! Their first adventure away from home without parents?! Oh gracious, they had stories to spare.

No matter what happens next, these memories are mine to keep. New York unfolding before us, and 3 women finally old enough to understand it was a gift worth treasuring. The gift of friendships that stand the test of time and space. The gift of breathing in new air. The gift of just letting it be and become. Thank you to my Chicken Box Gang…for knowing me, and for loving me anyway. For being at my every crossroad with infinite words of wisdom. Thank you New York, for being predictably unexpected. And thank you to Greg and my in-laws, for making sure I made the trip. I tried to catch my gratitude for all of you this past week in a cup, but it runneth over. Godspeed to you all, until our next Chicken Box Adventure (Florida!!)