On Saturday, The Dowager Duchess and I had the pleasure of seeing Annie. Not the Broadway "Annie." Not the film "Annie." Annie, the daughter of two old and dear friends of San Geraldo's and mine from our Boston Days in the early '80s. At the time we met, Becky and Mark had a 4-year-old daughter named Sarah. An adorable, exceptional, intelligent, well-mannered, "easy" child. Sarah and I adored each other ... and still do. Seven years later, Mark and Becky had Anne.
(Click any image to feel the love.)
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| WAITING FOR ANNIE AT THE NEPTUNE AVENUE "F" TRAIN STATION. |
Anne was a bit of a handful. Thankfully, she was always a sweet, smart, funny, kind handful. And everyone adored her. But she was a handful nonetheless. The first time they came to our place in Washington, D.C., 1-1/2-year-old Anne turned into the living room, spotted a basketball-sized piece of art glass on the coffee table and went running with her arms open wide. "Ball!!!" she squealed. Mark grabbed Annie and I grabbed the "ball." A couple of years later, they visited us in Connecticut. We child-proofed the house only to find Annie running around downstairs with an antique oriental rug dragging behind her.
"I'm Supergirl!!!"
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| "BALL!!!" |
Well, that handful is now 30. She's still sweet, smart, funny, and kind. However, she's no longer a handful. She's a well-read, well-traveled, fascinating woman who knows how to give a hug and whose smile lights up any day. And she's living in Brooklyn on the same train line as the Dowager Duchess.
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SAN GERALDO, ANNIE, AND SARAH.
NATIONAL ZOO, WASHINGTON, D.C., 1985. |
When Becky found out she was pregnant, Sarah, at 6, was in the midst of an obsession with the movie musical "Annie." I've always assumed that's how Anne got her name. Anne however wasn't aware of that. Maybe it was all my imagination.
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CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT FROM SARAH, 1983.
(PRE-ANNE) |
What is not my imagination is how much I have loved both of Mark and Becky's daughters — as children and as adults. We went out for lunch Friday and The Dowager Duchess told Annie to call her any time she wants to be treated to a Japanese meal. The Dowager Duchess fell in love, too.
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| THE ADORED ANNIE AT THE DOWAGER DUCHESS'S BEFORE LUNCH. |
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| THE DELIGHTED DOWAGER DUCHESS. |
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| ANNIE'S SUSHI. |
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| MY KATSUDON PORK. |
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| THE DOWAGER DUCHESS'S GRILLED SALMON ... AND GOLDEN FINGERNAILS |
The blog post title is a line from a song from the musical "Annie." It couldn't be more true. But, today, I'm in a New York (NYC) state of mind.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww, I loved this post!
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteAnnie's visit made me appreciate once again how many wonderful people we have in our loves. How lucky can you get?!
Lovely photo of you and the DD.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteThanks. I do love that photo!
I like everything about this post, Mitchell......the warmth, the photos, especially the one with your mother, those golden nails, the food, SG's mustache, and of course Annie. She looks like a real sweetheart!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteAnnie and Sarah are both so exceptional. What a joy to spend time with Annie after all these years.
wow, you mother is in a great shape. How old is she?
ReplyDeleteYour Ann is now a beautiful ,charming woman..
Gosia:
DeleteMy mother is an incredible 87 years old! Anne definitely is beautiful and charming, and so much more!
What a sweet post Mitchell, and loved the glimpse into the past!
ReplyDeleteJacqueline:
DeleteAnne's visit made me really miss the rest of the family. We stay in touch sporadically (Sarah and I do a bit better), but would so love to be together again.
Your life has been shared by so many wonderful people. You are a fortunate man.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI agree. Seeing Anne really brought them home to me once again.
Your photo of Mother and you is my favorite.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteThanks. It's one of my new favorites. So pleased.
all very nice, thank you for sharing your enjoyment. I like the Woy! I did not know people still had the accents. Nice.
ReplyDeleteLaurent:
DeleteIt's amazing how that accent lingers. And so many variations. When I was a boy, my mother told me the "r" at the end of a word (like butter) was SILENT! She has a refined New York accent. I a couple of cousins who actually say "woy."