For most people, the name Michael Jordan conjures images of a fantastic basketball player.  For Janet and myself, Michael is a dear friend who sang at our wedding.  In fact, Michael sang at many weddings of our friends from long long ago. We all belonged to a Christian music and drama troupe called the Agape Players. From 1969 to 1985, hundreds of college aged young people traveled  in motor homes and coach buses singing and acting nightly in churches throughout the country. Michael was one of the longest serving members of the group. I’m exceptionally pleased to call him a friend as I only toured in the last four years.

We’ve been texting and calling for the past few years, and I thought it time we get back together for a visit. Little did I know that flying to New York from Denver would be one of the least expensive options.  New York’s a great place because there’s so much to see.

As always, I attempt to try new things every time I repeat a visit. I’ve been to a lot of Broadway shows, but never tried Broadway Roulette. You pay in advance for discounted  tickets, then on the day of the show, they spin the wheel to determine what you’ll see. You can eliminate up to 4 shows from the spin, and you’re guaranteed not to see a show that you’ve won in the past. For our spin, we won tickets to Chicago. I’d already seen it on tour, but not on Broadway so I was pleased. Michael had only seen the movie, so he was excited. Michael is also a vegan, so I booked a great Thai restaurant that Janet and I have eaten at.

 

Michael had indicated he’d like to see the High Line. I’ve been wanting to see it for quite some time, so on Sunday we headed over to Chelsea to do just that. The High Line is a park built on an old elevated railway that begins in Chelsea above the Food Network studios and ends at the new Hudson Yards West development. Incredible pieces of art and murals line the corridor, and new buildings with amazing architecture are being built to take advantage of the area.

Exiting the High Line, we wandered through the new Hudson Yards West development, and then down 34th street past Madison Square Garden/Penn Station, Macy’s and the Empire State Building to 5th Ave. Like all tour guides, I shared a lot of totally useless information. The Christmas windows are gone, but 5th Ave still has magic. I love finding little things, or not so little things like this hippo in a tutu. We stopped in St. Patrick’s for an organ/choir concert. Then we cut through Rockefeller Center and made our way back to Times Square. As much as the crowds bother me, it’s always fun to take a friend and let them gawk. Our last stop before heading back to the hotel was at the World Trade Center. Michael hadn’t been there since the memorial was built so I was glad to take him.

We stayed in Brooklyn because he flew into JFK. It did make it easier to get to the airport. Our room was on the 12th floor which provided amazing views.  Michael chose the dinner spot, Juniors. It’s a popular Brooklyn eatery that boasted hundreds of high profile visitors, as evidenced by the pictures that papered the walls.

Alas, a weekend is a very short time, and all things must come to an end. I love reconnecting with old friends and sharing the changes in our lives. Michael is an amazing man. I cherish our friendship, and the time we shared.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller