family dinner at Pietro's

We are leaving at 6:20 for Pietro's. Our reservation is for 7pm, and it should take no more than twenty minutes to get there.

My mom, I know, would prefer leaving at five to account for any major traffic jams or accidents along Second Avenue. I would leave at 6:30. We agree to 6:20, "But we won't have time for any pictures before," my mom warns. My son, because he doesn't like taking pictures, of course agrees. I have to beg him for one before leaving. 

We were going to take a cab, "But if we do that," Alexander says, "We'll arrive way too early." A lot of planning has gone into the when and how of getting to Pietro's. As it turns out, we have time for a photo in front of the restaurant before everyone else arrives. 

There are ten of us in all. The food is excellent, the portions huge and the laughs many. 

The quilt Jean makes for my mom's birthday is magnificent: hydrangeas on one side and green leaves on the other.

But my mom's favorite gift is always a simple one— being all together. If Jim, Jack and Michael could have come, it would have been perfect. Still, it was pretty close.