I’d made my plans weeks earlier: bought the ticket, booked the room, planned the itinerary. For some time, news outlets had been reporting on a virus with a strange name, and very soon, my destination would be considered an epicenter. But I had not seen my daughter in three months, my spirit was unsettled about her welfare, and I was going to New York.

Armed with my usual hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes, I boarded the half-empty early morning flight, wiped down everything nearby, and settled in with a book. I often pray when I travel and this time was no different, except for the requests: health and safety for all and a special time with my daughter.

When my flight landed, I took a Lyft to my hotel. My hotel room was ready, even at that early hour, and soon, I was wrapping my daughter in a big, big hug and making plans for my visit.

A buzz of anxiety seemed to pervade wherever we went, but the hospitality people that we encountered were as friendly as usual. Determined to make the most of our limited time together, I took her to brunch at Alice’s Tea Cup, the Chapter 2 location.

The mismatched china cups and saucers, scuffed wooden table top with vintage iron sewing machine base, and Alice in Wonderland murals and quotes on the walls charmed me.

Seated upstairs by ourselves, we talked freely of our concerns about the virus and the latest happenings in her life. We shared a pot of chai and the Mad Morning, three tiers of little breakfast foods and the biggest scone I’ve ever seen in my life. It was absolutely delicious.

Afterward, we walked to the Frick Collection, a museum in a mansion that holds priceless art treasures. Photography wasn’t allowed in the rooms, understandably, but you can see the works here and read my post about our visit here.

By the end of my three days in NY, I had spent quite a bit of quality time with my daughter, comforted that she would soon be coming home to shelter in place with us.

After I got back, my husband and I drove to Asheville the next day to celebrate our anniversary.

Our hotel was taking precautionary measures and so did we, but we did visit Biltmore Estate since we had already bought tickets. It was clear that the groups in the house and on the grounds were smaller than they would have been otherwise.

We kept up with the news, but as we celebrated our anniversary for those few days, it felt like we were suspended in time, knowing full well that it wouldn’t last but being glad for it in the meantime. It felt like the calm before the storm.

So much has happened this last year; I don’t want to dwell on it here. But I do want to say that now my dear ones are more dear, my friends are more like family, my faith is deeper (because of Him), and my desire to share beauty, goodness, and truth is stronger than ever. I appreciate every one of you, and I pray God’s blessings upon you, my friends.

NOTE: If you plan a visit to New York soon, make sure that the sites you want to visit are open for business.

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