My whole family have departed on a ski trip out West leaving me behind to tend to the cat and generally keep the apartment in good shape until their return next Sunday. The kids are obviously off school for the week and many other families have left Manhattan for warmer shores or colder peaks. The traffic on the streets has been reduced considerably as children don't need to be shepherded around to and from school and the numerous after school activities they all seem to attend.
Alone in the greatest city in the world; a deathly quiet apartment; no one to wake me up in the middle of the night; sleeping in at the weekends; no chauffeuring of tired over indulged children; no clearing up and no spouse for a whole ten days. The real question is: Who has the better vacation - my family or me? And then my Mother shows up on my doorstep announcing her stay for five days. My plea for solitude accompanied with peace and quiet was rejected. My Mom thought it would be a great idea for the two of us to catch up. Just the two of us. Bring back the family; all is forgiven.
I have a very sprightly Mother. She is very English in her ways. Impeccably well mannered and obsessed with doing the right thing. She also has a PH.D. in saying the wrong thing. This combination makes for tremendous entertainment for all those who are fortunate enough to spend valuable time with her. This weekend proved to be a breath of fresh air. We walked, we talked, we dined, we laughed, we cried and we toured the city. We went to the Guggenheim Museum. We walked in Central Park. I gave her a comprehensive guided tour of the Upper East side. The conclusions I came to were that I am blessed to have such a wonderful Mother; I live in the greatest city in the world; and freedom is relative and more fulfilling when with one.
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