Spontaneous Opportunities

Spontaneous – Having an open, natural, uninhibited manner. Relax, free, and easy.

Opportunity – A set of circumstances that make it possible to do something. An example used in the dictionary was, “A chance for employment or promotion such as an opportunity in our New York headquarters.” This is an interesting dictionary comment since I’m sitting in a Manhattan park named Bryant Park watching jugglers and a piano player. Perhaps I should give the definition of coincidence as well.

Coincidence – A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparant casual connection. Providence, serendipity, destiny.

How did this particular Spontaneous Opportunity occur? As you know from last week’s post, Jay and I were in Sacramento for the wedding. We had the pleasure of staying with this wonderful friend (and one of my heaven triplets), Jeanne. She and her sister are identical twins. Years ago they adopted me as their triplet. Back to the story……

Weather has a way of keeping you flexible, don’t you think? After the wedding, Jay was flying us down to San Diego to drop some items off from our major house cleaning we did prior to our travels.

Who has heard of the June gloom of Southern California? If you haven’t, here you go. June is a month when the fog rolls into the coast and bays and doesn’t want to leave for the majority of the day. One side of the 5 freeway can be sunny. Turn your head the opposite direction and there will be a buildup of fog and clouds in which we need to fly IFR below minimums. We don’t like to do that. So, Pilot Jay grounded us. I rented a car and off I went, first spontaneous opportunity – a road trip!!!

No matter where I am, there is training for the Camino. Becky becomes my new training partner for a few days. Hiking is not her favorite thing to do, however she will when she is with me….until we ran into……

Something like THAT!!!!! Becky’s description was something to the effect, ” it was so big, Uncle Jay, my whole body could fit into it’s mouth.” You guys would have been so proud of how calm I was. Annie and Beka, do you remember how calm I was when we went “Salsa Dancing” at Mambo beach and the little man decided to twirk? That’s the same reaction I had regarding the snake for Becky. Apparantly, “OH MY” and/or “OH NO” is the Aunt Kelly comment when protecting neices from possible harm.

Meanwhile, Spontaneous Opportunity is occurring for Pilot Jay. He decides to take the plane to Boise. The grandkids are excited about this. And, Pilot Papa has new passengers to help fly the plane. I see future pilots.

Becky and I are having a wonderful time getting caught up when a Spontaneous Opportunity comes along and we are booking flights to New York City. I’m available for travel, she’s available, it’s definitely the thing to do – Spontaneous Opportunity.

We love meeting up in New York City once a year, if possible. We love the musicals, shopping, and fine dining. We are also planners. Jay laughs at us when we are planning our trips each year. Becky and I will have our itinerary down and really never veer from it. That’s just one of the fun pieces of the trip for us, the planning. In our minds we are already on vacation when we are picking out our outfits together via facetime. So, for us to book a flight on a Tuesday and in New York City on Saturday without any reservations or tickets……Spontaneous Opportunity had to be the theme.

As soon as we landed at 4:00, Becky is getting us a ride to the hotel, I’m on ticketsnow to find tickets, and done, check that off. “Oh my, Aunt Kelly, that was way too easy,” until……we are leaving the hotel room at 6:00 to go to the theatre and receive a notice saying we did not get the tickets. I should add a saddy face right here, except we’re in New York City!!

Plan B – we walk to the theatre, get in this line they have for last minute empty seats. Thinking this can’t be a real thing, I’m on Stubhub. Just as the last of the 1,400 ticket holders enter the building, I receive a text saying, you have received your tickets!!!! It was the same seats I thought we had just before leaving the hotel through a different site. Oh, and did I mention, less expensive!!!! Jay certainly liked hearing that piece. The musical? See the picture below.

The elusive, for us, Hamilton! On Broadway! I’d say Spontaneous Opportunity pays off five minutes before curtain time.

Becky and I have had a few bucket list items such as seeing Hamilton on our budget, that if we could do, our New York travels would be complete. Another one has been reservations to an exclusive restaurant called Eleven Madison. Just for the heck of it, since we’ve never been able to get in, I placed our name on the wait list. Sunday, still amazed at seeing Hamilton, walking out the hotel door when my phone rings. Mrs Harris, this is Eleven Madison and a table is now available for 7:00 tonight. Would you still be interested in dining with us tonight?

Yes! Of course – Spontaneous Opportunity. “Mrs Harris, Anna Marie will be at the door to greet you. Please let us know if there is any thing we can do to make your time with us enjoyable.”. Not only did Anna Marie greet us, Brian, Chris, Blake, and several others tended to us for a wonderful experience.

Our last New York City bucket list item is about a Stella McCartney purse. Every trip requires a visit to my dream purse that I just can’t fork over the $$. So, I drop by to hold it, place it on my shoulder, admire it in the mirror. And, always comment how good it looks on me. Stella McCartney designs are, I think, timeless – at least for the five years I’ve been visiting it. Spontaneous Opportunity – and never before 40% off. Yes, that’s what is on my arm in the first picture.

New York is never without time at Tiffany’s. However, we betrayed our beloved Tiffany’s with Stella. Can’t pass up a great sale. However, we did visit our beloved to see the new designs on the third floor and….5th Avenue Tiffany is moving for a year’s remodel. See you, Tiffany’s, in 2021, hopefully.

Whoever had the forethought of designing Central Park was a genius in my eyes. Just when the hustle and bustle of people and concrete begin to get to you, just walk into this beautiful park that goes forever. So many winding trails, bridges, and ponds.

One more play to complete this Spontaneous Opportunity. Jersey Boys is always a great time of entertainment. First time Becky has seen it.

In order to maintain our weekly budget, Jay is back in Boise. Yes, that is beans, sardines and a $.49 glass of wine from a box. He’s so good to me.

I feel like the Green Acres song has its place right now: Me – “New York is where I’d rather be. I get allergic smelling hay, I just adore a penthouse view. Darlin I love you but give me Park Avenue.” Jay – “Green Acres is the place to be, Farm living is the life for me, Land spreadout so far and wide, keep Manhattan, give me that countryside.”

Opportunities planned or spontaneous, I am reminded of our sweet Curacaoan’s we met who say they are so blessed. Yes, we are! I might have fun with the Green Acres song, however the song I really think of is, “God, You’re so Good”.

“I am blessed, I am called, I am healed, I am whole, I am saved in Jesus’ name. God you are so good, you are so good to me.”

May you enjoy the opportunities that come your way. Blessings, Kelly