This past weekend I ventured into the great city of New York to check out some museums and found myself thinking often during that day about my Great Aunt Pat. How she always told me stories about her travels and the great adventures she went on when she was my age.
A favorite of hers to tell me was about her first trip to New York. When she and her friend got off the train at Grand Central Station and they were the only ones in flowery sundresses in the middle of the heat of summer when it was easily 95 degrees outside. They stuck out like two very sore thumbs! Naturally the first order of business was to go shopping to get sleek black dresses like true New Yorkers would wear. Fashion does not care what the temperature is outside. They then proceeded to have the most fabulous time but when they arrived back in Chicago wearing their New York get-ups, again, they stuck out like sore thumbs! There really was just no winning. I suppose the moral of that story was to research the fashion of wherever I was going so I would fit in and have the most magnificent time while I was there. It was random gems like this she would randomly (and repeatedly) share.
The craziest part of the day came when I was headed back to my hotel and called my sister because she had asked that I did so when I was available. I then learned that Great Aunt Pat had died in her sleep the previous night. My subconscious must have known because I thought a lot of her and her trailblazing ways that day, even before I had learned of her passing. While losing a loved one is never a happy occasion she enjoyed one last birthday party (90!) a week before and from what I've heard seemed to be in good spirits. I wouldn't have wanted her to be confused in a hospital as her last memories and take comfort in the fact that she went peacefully. I am not a religious person but I know many of my friends are, if you feel inclined to send a prayer or happy thought her way I am sure she, a devout Catholic, would appreciate it. As my mom said, "she's probably up there, raising Hell in Heaven". I also like to think she's playing golf with some Saints.
I have many fond memories of times spent (underage) gambling at the race track, going out to dinner, and many tales of her travels to look back upon. The woman traveled to Havana when it was still legal for cryin' out loud! She has and will continue to inspire me to throw caution to the wind every now and again and just go wherever the first train out will take me. So tonight I'll be reminiscing and leave writing about my museum adventures for another day this week.
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