Aunt Bea Comes To Visit - Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th

Monday Oct 6, 2008

We took my aunt to the airport today. She'd spent nine days with us and we hoped we hadn't exhausted her. Well, too much anyway. We did want to keep her busy so she couldn't find too much time to think about the recent loss of Walter, her husband of 71 years. As I've written before, Bea is utterly remarkable for a 93-year old woman. She kept complaining that I was treating her like an invalid, holding her arm when she crossed the street or hopped off a curb. I just couldn't get use to how able and energetic she is! Each day we did a little something - shopping, theater, touring. And this last weekend of her visit to New York was no different. On Saturday, we drove out to the Long Island section of the Weinstein family: Marlo and Malte and their family live a lovely house in Islip on the south shore of Long Island. Jessica and Ed and their family just moved into a beautiful new home, nearby, in Bay Shore. And Lee and Alexis - well they live in between (so they can babysit in either direction).

We were invited to lunch at Marlo's. Joining us would be Kris and Mirjam and Jona. They took the Long Island Railroad out to Islip and Lex picked them up at the station. In our car were Bea's son, my cousin Peter, who arrived from Detroit the night before and his mom and Stacey and me. We arrived around twelve and Marlo was setting out the food - some lovely salads and quiches.

Stacey, Peter and Bea - on our way out to Long Island.

Jona meets her cousin Olivia.

Olivia and Luke.

Hi Marlo!

Lee and his Aunt Bea. Today was also Lee's 66th birthday.

Omigod! Kris, Luke and Olivia doing the trampoline thing.

Marlo and Jona, watching action on the trampoline.

Mirjam and Stacey - just chatting.

Peter and his cousin Lee.

And here's Peter and his mom.

Happy birthday Lee! Olivia helps the older man blow out his candles.

After Marlo's we drove over to Jessica and Ed's house to visit and see their new home. Their delicious daughter Jordan welcomed us and gave Grampy Lee his homemade drawing. Ben, their son, was sleeping but soon awoke from his nap and made himself well know to his guests - new family members he'd never met before. A new Mosher is on the way as well - Jessie is pregnant and is due in December. (The third Weinstein daughter, Corey, is expecting her first - a boy - in November).

We visited Jessica and Ed's new home in Bay Shore. Another Mosher is on the way ... scheduled for December. Jessie and her mom, Alexis, having a "heart-to-heart."

Aunt Stacey feels the baby kicking.

Mirjam does the hula thing on Jess and Ed's deck.

And this is my great grand niece, Jordan.

Ben got tatoos. Yeah, man!


To see ALL of today's photos just click here to go to my GALLERY on Smugmug.

To see a SLIDESHOW of today's photos just click here .

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After visiting the Moshers, we drove to Lee and Alexi's house - Bea and Peter had not ever seen it. Time was getting late so instead of heading home for a late dinner, we ate at a local Chinese restaurant (it was good!)and then took the hour-ride back to Brooklyln. A wonderful family day out on the Island.

On Bea's last day in New York, Sunday, we strolled around the Atlantic Antic. This is one of the city's largest street fairs. It attracts tens of thousands of people and the magic diversity that is Brooklyn is on full display. Less homogenized than your typical New York street fair, it has a wonderful mix of local vendors, restaurants and community organizations (including my peace group - Brooklyn For Peace.

We had a great time exploring the various booths and then sat down in front of La Mancha, a Spanish restaurant on Atlantic Avenue, for fresh grilled sardines and paella, washed down with a pitcher of sangria. Yum! After, we drove my cousin Peter to the airport for his return flight to Detroit.

Hungry for change?

Stacey and Bea peruse a vintage tchotchkes table.

Grilled sardinas at La Mancha restaurant.

Bea's visit had come to an end. The next day, Monday, we rose early and drove her to LaGuardia Airport - a trip of 25 minutes. Again, her energy and independence amazed and thrilled us. I just can't imagine too many 93-year olds flying back and forth, here and there, unaccompanied and on their own. It had a been a wonderful visit. How many times had Stacey and I been guests at the Schaffer home in Deefield Beach. It was a privilege to return a tiny percentage of that hospitality to my Aunt Bea, my mother's sister. We're going to see her again, in November. Her grandson Sloan (Peter's son) is getting married in Miami and we'll all be there for that happy event. But we're also hoping Bea will return next year when it gets too hot in Florida or when hurricanes are stirring down there. She'll always have a room waiting for her in Brooklyn.

View ALL of Sunday's photos as a GALLERY - CLICK HERE

View a SLIDESHOW of today's photos - CLICK HERE.