It was quick.  Despite the airline cancellations, the weather was merely rain and I cruised into NYC Monday evening, right on time.   Arriving at the Jose’ Casa, I was hugged and loved by all.  As usual, Melissa and I were up all night talking, catching up.

Here’s the background:  my daughter is the assistant director of music (or something like that) at St. Joseph Catholic Church-Yorkville.  While I”m not so sure of the title, I know that it involves a lot of practicing and performing, as well as some organizational duties that probably go unnoticed, but take up lots of time.  Holy Week is a marathon for any church musician (I can testify) and in addition to all of that she was finishing the St. Joseph School yearbook (where Emma attends) to send to the printers.  All of this is to explain that I was Nanny jo-jo this week…   Emma had an unexpected day off of school on Wednesday and only a half-day on Holy Thursday, off again on Good Friday, so I earned my keep and had an absolute blast.  The weather, though not sunny-sweet, was spring-ish enough that I only needed a sweater   on most days and not even that on Saturday.

Eliza is 2 and talking up a storm, obsessed with the movie “Despicable Me”, good-natured and smiley;  Emma is 7, a school-girl who helped me with her sister, reads like a champ, and is always my best buddy.

I love the Metropolitan Museum of Art and visit it nearly every time I go to New York, and I have Never had a visit that I didn’t walk around Central Park.   With Eliza and Emma as faithful companions, that’s all I need…

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art

A little morsel…

This trip was enhanced by Fried Olives…I loved them and stopped at Cavatappi’s three times!!  to enjoy them…obviously, I wasn’t alone…

hanging out at home

Central Park

After we had scootered through the park, we came up with a diabolically clever plan to surprise the parents with Easter baskets!!!  We stopped by the neighborhood Deals store and stocked up on candies (and bunny ears for the kids).  Emma was so excited and it was difficult for her to keep the secret, but when we presented the gifts at dinner that evening, Melissa and Eric really didn’t suspect what we were hiding.  It was so great–I know that’s a lame word, but it was something I can’t describe too well–to see how thrilled Em (and Eliza a little bit) were to Give a Gift…  It was simply joyful…

Of course, their parents were thrilled, as well, and dessert was even sweeter with all the Love flowing around the table….

I flew home last night, arriving back in Nashville 35 minutes early to pouring rain…

But today, Easter Sunday, we were all in church—the Joses in NYC, the Casey, jrs. here with us at Redeemer…and the middle beautiful grand-daughter delighted me…

I know that it’s cliche’ to talk about how much I love being a grandma—all of my peers agree that’s it’s the Greatest.  But I can’t help it…I’m just so grateful for my kids and their kids–and don’t forget my wonderful husband, who makes it all possible.

Thanks to the Lord, who has blessed me far greater than I deserve…