On June 12, 2001, Joe and I sailed out of New York harbor on the Queen Elizabeth II with our nieces Heidi, and Holly, to England. ♥ It was the most wonderful trip of my life, and a dream come true for Joe and me. We now know how lucky we were to go when we did. Heidi was almost eleven and Holly was twelve. We had planned this trip since Holly was six years old. I prepared the girls for the trip by sending them movies to watch . . . Sabrina, Roman Holiday, An Affair to Remember and of course Auntie Mame. 🙂
Indeed. God Bless America! On Monday, the Daughters of the American Revolution come to school for a special ceremony. My sweet sixth graders are so excited. They give flags, too. We’re wearing red, white, and blue.
I got two SB books in the mail this week. I ordered them from one of my two used book companies and they are in pristine condition. I hope your trip is chugging along nicely, Susan!
A time of innocence and wonder….praying for innocence and wonder for all the children of the world! 9-11-01
Yes and all the grown ups too!
Indeed!
Yes, bless all those who lost their lives, and their children even more.
Amazing picture, Susan! God Bless America! Emotional day! And….have a wonderful journey on your new adventure tomorrow.
What a photo to treasure! God bless…
xoxo Gert
What a wonderful memory of 2001.
Prayers and blessings to all those who lost family/loved ones/friends on this day in 2001. Appreciation to all those who are sacrificing to continue the fight.
A picture is worth a thousand words,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
What wonderful memories you must have from this trip! A fantastic experience for your nieces, too! I would have loved to go along, too.:-)
Sending along good wishes for the trip you are about to begin across the states!
A beautiful memory, a beautiful trip and a priceless picture of what was …
Thank you for sharing with us, we will never forget. Judy C in NC
Yes, one of those days that you will never forget where you were and what you where doing and what you felt…….
My husband and I spent our honeymoon in NYC and visited the top of the World Trade Center. Yes, a beautiful picture. I am watching right now – the beautiful tribute to 9-11. I am up to the “G’s” and my heart is in my throat. God Bless Us All . . .
If any lesson can be learn from such a senseless tragedy, let it be that we treasure every day, we squeeze every ounce of joy, love and happiness out every moment because just like that * it can be gone. I couldn’t help but think last night about 9-10-01 when all those people were finishing up their Monday, gathered around their dinner tables with their families and loved ones, just like any other day. Tucking kids into bed, packing school lunches, checking calendars for appointments, walking the dog…all so normal, so routine and then *. God Bless The United States, God Bless Everyone.
Well said, Christine. And wonderful photo, Susan!
Thank you for sharing your picture with us. What a wonderful trip, to treasure! That is an amazing picture – the Statue of Liberty, and the Twin Towers! And, what are those beautiful young ladies doing now, 10 years later?
School, being beautiful, falling in love, wearing really cute clothes, reading . . .
Love it that they’re following in their beautiful Auntie’s footsteps! 🙂
Haha!
Forgive me but here I am again “reflecting” on the beautiful picture. I think it is about the nicest picture I’ve ever seen. Full of love, joy, innocence, and history. I LOVE this picture.
Oh, and the Statue of Liberty is in the picture too!!!! This picture should be in a magazine like Life. Thank you Susan for sharing this wonderful picture.
How awesome to have given them such an adventure! {I was named after my Aunt Mame…and I am not half as fun as you are…but i do say “daaaahling” a lot ;} WOW! I can see the towers in the background…what a picture for this day of days!
m ^..^
I remember that trip so well…wonderful memories. Beautiful girls. Thinking of you, and the whole of the United States, especially today. xoxo
Any time I see pictures of the twin towers, I get a small catch in my throat. Your faces are filled with joy and happiness, it’s a beautiful day and the twin towers stand proudly in the background. You’ve captured a beautiful moment in time, Susan.
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Like a bubble….clear and clean…
What a treasured memory for you all. Just think of how many people have vacation photos with the towers in the background. We are remembering today but we are also on vacation at the gorgeous Pacific Ocean and life is good.
May we ALWAYS remember this day and what happened 10 years ago to Americans and to America……..and may be always cherish and treasure each other while we can………Ellie
Oh how sweet to have a lovely auntie like you. xo
Late yesterday afternoon I had to especially check your blog because I knew you would comfort and inspire us. Earlier in the day I hung the flag on my balcony facing the Pentagon (very near my home) which hung on September 11th (I used to display it all summer). It’s the first time I’ve hung it since taking it down a few months after that tragic day. I cried as I watched the dedication ceremony for United Flight 93 yesterday – for the precious losses and for the tremendous reminder of all the courage, goodness and ability to sacrafice which is in us. Love wins. With deep appreciation for your generous heart and beautiful thoughts, Susan. And to all – wishing you peace of heart.
Susan, I love seeing your picture in my neck of the woods. I looked at those towers for years, and to this day every time I look at the skyline or see a photo or a movie with the towers in them I get a pain in my heart. Did you leave from Red Hook, Brooklyn on the QE II? Thats where I grew up. Again, looking forward to meeting you in Minnesota. Angel, New York
Such a beautiful picture attached to lovely memories of your trip. You are such a good Auntie!
Gee, if I weren’t about your own age, I would ask you if you would like to adopt me to be your niece and take me along next time! 🙂 Fall is starting in Minnesota. It has been very hot this weekend but Monday night the temperatures drop and highs will be in 60’s starting Tuesday, for all next week. The vegetation is taking on that late-summer yellow tone and maple trees here and there have a splash of orange and red foretelling the beautiful color we’ll have by the end of September/beginning of October. Gardens are taking on that early-Fall as tomato-canning goes into production! That gives you a “heads-up” for next week! 🙂
Wonderful! They will always remember!
…and of course a Auntie Mame!!! from a Auntie Bev
What a great auntie. Memories those girls will always remember, I am sure!
The picture helps us to remember how it use to be, how it never will be the same again….Thank you for sharing it with us and letting us never to forget those who lost so much.
What a fabulous trip! Isn’t it wonderful when we’re able to share with children old enough to enjoy? Pamela of House of Edward blog, just wrote a piece entitled “Memory as Medicine”…isn’t that wonderful? It’s the title of an art exhibit but don’t you just love the connotation? Memory as Medicine…most of mine could solve all the ills of the world; I am most blessed!
A very bittersweet photograph of your grand adventure.
Thanks for sharing it.
Another fan of Rosalind Russell and Auntie Mame, xoxo Auntie Sarah
Safe Travels to you and Joe.
What a beautiful experience to share with your nieces!
Do the girls have photos of that beautiful morning, Sue? It might be fun to reprint them after half a lifetime has gone by. Eleven and twelve plus ten years = so many changes! “A perfect bubble,” indeed . . . xoxo
Your words and picture should be in a history book to reflect how all ofour lives changed that day in a blink of an eye. Let’s hope and pray our children never ever experience an attack on our beloved country again. Watching the images on the tributes yesterday always makes me grateful we have so much freedom here on our soil. And to share in our little village’s ceremony last night where my grandson read the Firemen’s prayer to the crowd told me that how I had that innocence growing up in the 50’s and 60’s and want it for them too.
Kathy in NY
What a wonderful memory! It sounds like an amazing journey. Having a serious aversion to flying, a crossing on the QE2 has always been a dream of mine. Someday, *sigh*…
Wishing you safe travels!
♥ Carolee
This is a wonderful photo, Thank you for sharing. I know the trip was wonderful, too.
Susan,
What a beautiful photo of you and your adorable nieces. They must still be talking about that amazing trip to England with you and Joe. This is one photo that needs to be in a beautiful frame and hung in a special place in your house, and copies to your nieces.
Have a wonderful time on your trip.
Your trip would have been amazing and wonderful regardless, but the post-9/11 meaningfullness (I know, it’s not a word, but it fits…) must be almost overwhelming for all of you! A treasured photo and memory, I’m sure!
Pure Magic Sweet Sue….Wishing You & Joe a Safe & Fun Journey….see You on The Twitter-Twain….Choooooooooo-Choooooooooo! All Aboard! Yay! Throwing Traveling Pixie-Dust Everywhere! Hugzzzzzzzzz & always Love! xoxo Poof!