Day 37

Tuesday, May 13, 2015

Pittsburgh, PA

The first time I visited New York City was in the 1981.  My brother, Greg, had just graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.  His first job as a chef was at the Waldorf Astoria,   At the time, he and his first wife, Mary, were living in Queens.  During my stay with them, Mary and I met her Dad in front of the NYC Library and he took us both to lunch.  It was my first experience dining in an Indian restaurant.  We ordered and ate falafel and I loved it!

Mary is Rebecca and Evan’s mother and my friend.  She is a teacher in Pittsburgh and plans to retire this year.  Like my brother, she has since remarried.  Jim, her husband, is a retired college professor and they are very happy together.  They are both very active in their church.

Mary picked me up at my hotel and wisked me off to a restaurant called Aladdin.  We order falafel.  We sat and talked and had a delightful time reminiscing.  We talked about Rebecca and Evan and our love and pride in each of them.  It was such a joy to see her and catch up on old times.  Whenever I taste falafel, I will always think of Mary.

I count it all joy,

Pastor Vallerie