December 2024
by Genevieve Holmes
When I was first diagnosed, I asked my daughter about some bucket list items she would like to do, and one of them was to visit New York City during Christmas time.
Thanks to the Team Gleason Adventure program, that bucket list item was crossed off this past December.
Our adventure began on a Thursday evening when we flew into the city. The Marriott Marquis, located in the heart of Times Square, was the perfect place for us to stay.
That evening, we met my brother and his family, who joined us in the city, for a late dinner.
Friday morning started early with a visit to Rockefeller Center, where my husband had the chance to meet Al Roker.
After a quick visit to Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, we crossed shopping off the list
That afternoon, my daughter and niece ice-skated beneath the iconic Christmas tree.
Later, we experienced the dazzling lights and energy of Times Square at night.
Saturday began with brunch at Ellen’s Stardust Diner, followed by a matinee showing of & Juliet.
We chose this play because my daughter had just finished reading Romeo and Juliet during the fall semester at school. It featured an amazing 90s soundtrack and a captivating storyline.
After dodging all the Santas participating in SantaCon—the largest Santa-themed bar crawl in the U.S.—we opted for an early dinner and a quick rest before heading to the final performance of the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.
We were entertained by the toy soldiers and absolutely wowed by the live animals, including camels and sheep, that made their way onto the stage.
Sunday morning, we enjoyed a full Irish breakfast while watching Celtic beat the Rangers at McHale’s Irish Pub.
Before our flight home that evening, we did a little more sightseeing, exploring Chinatown, Little Italy, and shops in SoHo.
We ended our adventure with a visit to FAO Schwarz before heading to the airport.
We are so incredibly thankful to have experienced this as a family and to have created these cherished core memories.
Thank you,
The Holmes Family
