Honestly this was probably one of the most eventful summers I’ve had over the years. It seems like I had something to do just about every day, which honestly is the best thing I could ask for. However, when looking back on all I did, my trip to New York was definitely the highlight of the summer.
Granted the trip wasn’t for the happiest reason. My grandfather had passed away about a month before we left and a memorial for him had been planned for him in a Church on Long Island, which is where most of my family currently lives today. (Both of my parents are from there originally). For those of you who don’t know where Long Island is, it is…
… right there in red!
Anyway, we left Colorado on a beautiful, though rainy, Wednesday. After a relatively short 3 hour plane ride, we touched down at Laguardia Airport, which is on the outskirts of New York City. However, that was as close as we got to the City itself (Yes, the picture at the top was rather misleading, I know. But You’ll recognize that as New York a whole lot easier than…)
… well, that. Which is what I was actually seeing on the trip. Quite different from the city indeed. Anyway, after a rather long drive to the eastern most tip of the island, (Ends up there’s a reason it’s called LONG Island), we stayed at my Great Aunt and Uncle’s house. Now, this house was really something. I mean, it literally had a view of the ocean right out of the window, and a thirty second walk would lead you to a pristine and isolated beach.
Now, glossing over a wonderful day at the beach and then dinner at a charming little restaurant in a nearby town, I’ll get to my personal favorite day of the trip. The whole reason we came in the first place… the memorial itself. It was a bright, sunny day. After a scramble to get dressed up, we drove to the Church. Exactly on time. (Which if you have ever shared a first period class with me, you’ll know that being on time is a miracle!) It was a very nice Friday mass, and most of my extended family was there. Afterwards all of us (Around 70 people in total) all met at an Italian restaurant that was nearby. I should really mention that my entire family in New York is as Italian as they come… meaning there was a constant and endless supply of food, most of my cousins looked like they were fresh out of the mob, and every conversation was laced with 5 levels of sarcasm and everyone was talking with their hands. And I loved it. I really did. It’s just such a shame you only see a whole family for two reasons: weddings and funerals. Beginning and Ends. But still, we got to toast my grandfather and celebrate his life rather than fixate on his death.
Anyway, the rest of the trip after that day was filled with various activities, my favorite by far being kayaking on the ocean. One thing led to another, and before I knew it we were home again in Colorado, just like that. Time can be funny, can’t it?
Dawn and Dusk 
First and foremost, thank you for the map, it was very thoughtful. Also, the big Italian family sounds wonderful. Not a single one of my cousins looks like they’re in the mob, it’s so unfair (one of them kind of looks like she might be involved in drug deals though… we aren’t close)! I also love how eloquently you highlighted the ever present maxim of lives, people come together to celebrate beginnings and to mourn endings.
P.S. If you don’t comment on my blog I’m going to be very upset. I don’t even care if you’ve already commented on other people’s blogs. Just comment on mine and tell me how cool I am.
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I agree with Savannah, the map was very helpful! I’m sorry about your grandfather passing…that’s never easy. Your description of the whole trip, though was awesome! It took me back to several family moments like the one you described. Your description of your Italian family was the interesting, too! I can’t physically highlight my favorite description, but it’s the “5 levels of sarcasm”. 🙂
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I loved how you wrote this blog. The death of a loved one can be really hard, but you wrote the memorial as a celebration instead of a time of only sorrow. I also agree with the Beginnings and Endings you talked about, with weddings being the beginning of a new life together and the funeral being the end of someone’s life. It’s very insightful and well worded!
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I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather, but how exciting that you had so many opportunities to travel and experience life–even if it comes at the end of another. What powerful meditations on the ephemerality of life and the necessity to come together for things other than weddings and funerals!
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