The summer I was 19 my parents rented a bungalow for the month of August on Indian Lake in New Jersey.
The little house perched by the water was lovely but small. Aunt Helen, Mom’s sister, planned to spend weekends there and a few friends had also been invited to join them.
I opted not to be part of the weekends. Primarily because I had recently met my Prince and we had begun to spend Saturday evenings together.
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However, the second and equally important reason was I looked forward to being alone in the overcrowded railroad flat when not only my two sisters, but parents would be away.
For the first time I could remember our 4th floor home was quiet, and I felt a quiet contentment at having it all to myself.
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Aunt Helen who routinely entered and exited several or more times a day had departed with my parents. Uncle Bill, who kept his visits down to twice daily, would not resume them until his beloved older sister, Ann, returned.
AND I was alone for the first time in memory.
My first emotion was utter delight followed by the game plan that i had already composed in anticipation.
Attendance at the 11 am High Mass with the magnificent St. Paul's choir and Latin liturgy came first.
Next, I planned a leisurely walk to the famed upscale food emporium on West 72nd Street where I would purchase a small roast chicken and a dozen chocolate cream puffs. Ambrosia without cooking.
Returning downtown, I stopped at Mrs. Reddy's newspaper kiosk on 59th Street and purchased the Sunday NY Times. The voluminous issue was a bit heavy to carry, but I knew it was well worth the inconvenience as I tucked it under my arm.
Entering our small and now temporarily quiet flat I began to enjoy my long anticipated day alone.
However, by 3 o'clock I realized the famed chicken couldn't compare to Mom's simple but superb recipe always accompanied by home made dressing, and for some bizarre reason the cream puffs were no longer tempting.
I finished reading most of the Sunday paper, and realized there was nothing left in my game plan.
Then with utter surprise I wished my family was coming home sooner. I even wondered if Uncle Bill might enjoy some cream puffs and decided to visit him with a few.
Mostly, however, I remember learning another unexpected lesson about life and love as well as the importance of family.
