With everything that’s been going on lately, we’ve been feeling like it was time for a small getaway. Since we couldn’t celebrate our wedding anniversary and Kenny’s birthday is coming up, I took my mother’s advice and “surprised” Kenny with going to Naples for two days. (Note: Next time, I must not use Kenny’s Priceline account or else he will find out through an email confirmation and the surprise will no longer be a surprise!)
A good reminder is to always find that “peace that surpasses all understanding” in the discomfort we may be feeling to understand that we are not the only ones suffering, but to look at our surroundings and comfort those who are also in this struggle of life. To find joy in the trials and afflictions by appreciating how good and faithful our Lord is in other areas of our lives. To find empathy and consideration for others is what Jesus constantly practiced as He lived among us, but now as He resides in our hearts, may that be our expression to others: His unconditional love!
About two weeks ago, I received some serious news. After a long day at work on a Saturday night, my mother called me to let me know she’s on her way to the emergency room. I didn’t think it’d be anything to be concerned about because she’s a strong and healthy woman. I look at her and I still see her in her 30’s, raising me and protecting me from evil. The next day, I had a conversation on the phone with my father. In tears, he informed me that my mother might have pelvic cancer. My mom? Cancer?
We’ve all been there. The dreadful and the unavoidable: the comfort zone! It’s so easy to keep visiting the zone rather than seeking true comfort where we all know where to find it. The truth is, this “comfort” zone isn’t what it promises, it’s not comfortable! We may escape the reality and the stress that life may bring from time to time by doing activities that are considered “stress free,” but our minds will not find it restful, but restless.
After an excellent but tiresome vacation in NYC, we were actually looking forward to a week of recovery at home before heading back to our normal work schedule. Two things I have refused to look at are: our bank account and the scale! But that sure didn’t stop us from indulging in our time off.
Kenny’s friend owns a popular restaurant in Boca Raton, near Mizner Park, and recently The Rebel House has been opening for brunch. With our newfound fascination of brunches, we decided to give it a try last Sunday.
We had reservations for our last meal in NYC and we chose to eat at The Little Owl, located in the Greenwich Village inside a very popular and F.R.I.E.N.Dly building. The ferry took a long time and we worried we wouldn’t make it on time, but we did. Now we can proudly say that we’ve conquered the subway system!
Sunday was our last full day in the city and we wanted to take advantage of everything we could do that we hadn’t done yet. Sunday is also known for Sunday brunches so we took a friend’s suggestion and we gave Beauty & Essex a shot. Normally, we work on Sundays so brunches are a rarity for us. We were really looking forward to this because the menu that we looked at online seemed very well rounded and playful.
…comes great responsibility? We were so blessed to be able to attend a Broadway show on a Saturday afternoon. Not just any Broadway show, but Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark! Now, Kenny is not a fan of musicals, but we both compromised in watching a superhero musical, since he’s into the superheroes and all.
As a new creation, we are an improvement from who we were yesterday. As we had the honor to visit the 9/11 memorial site, we remembered the past with the hope of something new and better. We admire how tasteful and honoring the new tower is coming out to be; in fact, the Freedom Tower stands behind the two reflecting pools, each pool represents the exact location where the twin towers stood. All the names of the 3000 people that passed away in 1993 and 2001 are imprinted on the edges of each pool. Although we didn’t know anyone who died, tears were no strangers and a sea of emotions crashed into us. After today, we’ve realized how angry we can still get just thinking about what happened that day.
Faith, food…and friends! The last time I saw her was at my wedding, and the last time before that…well, lets just say that we’ve had a long distance friendship since 2005, when she left Barry University. When we decided to visit the city, she was the one person I wanted to see.
Ally Velsor 