Sunday in NYC

Originally we had planned to go to church in NYC. First we were going to go to 1st Pres NYC, then Elder Son and DIL said we were welcome to go to their church with them. So we were going to go there. Then the crisis happened and they felt too worn out to go to church, and in the meanwhile we had not made plans / found a Manhattan church to attend. So we are pagans today. We did pray before breakfast. :)
Let's see. Yesterday began early as we boarded the bus for Central Park. I am sooo glad we took the bus rather than the subway, as we would have missed seeing the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. We gotta go back to that place!! It's humongous. We just asked strangers the best way to get to Central Park and they were elbowing each other out for the opportunity to help us out. "Here's the best way.." "No, she doesn't know, go this way..." "Actually, you oughtta go this way...." I am always amazed at the kindness of strangers.
So. We went to Central Park and it was awesome. Packed. Saw the rc boats on Conservatory Pond, got hot dogs (yes, hot dogs) from a cart, heard beautiful, beautiful classical music from a street musician playing -- ready for this? a BASSOON. It was lovely. I hope I remember it forever. Little One dropped the map in the pond. Saw a bikini'ed lady having a high-powered business call on her cell phone, yelling, "Yes, Bob, no, Bob, do it this way, Bob..." Very, very anachronistic, but how ny can you get. Saw a zillion ppl walking dogs, pushing strollers, rollerblading, skating, biking, running, rowing. Saw a French lady screaming at a dad & little girl, "Non, non, do not pet zee dog. She is afraid of all," -- and the dog snarling and growling and barking like this vicious wild animal. Went to the zoo. Saw polar bears swim, penguins waddle, red pandas, tamarin, monkeys, and puffins. Little One had her face painted all over. Went back to rent a boat but it started to thunderstorm. Took the bus to the library. Closed. Went back to Times Square, on Little One's request. Stopped at Starbucks for coffee, hot chocolate and some journaling. Went back to Toys 'R Us, spent almost 2 hours there. The line for the Ferris Wheel is about 45 minutes long. Fortunately Little One was as uninterested in waiting 45 minutes as I was. Finally, left that place and headed home. Stopped and got calzones to go, took the subway, and ate in the apartment.
On the subway, a very not clean lady got on the train and announced loudly, "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I am homeless and would appreciate any contributions you could make at this time. Thank you." I admired her audacity. She sang, "Amazing Grace." Little One leaned over and whispered out of the side of her mouth, "I'm NOT giving her any of my money." "OK," I replied. "Well, maybe I'll give her my change," she said, and handed it into a very, very dirty hand. The woman looked into LO's eyes and said, "Thank you."
For the remainder of the trip Little One was worried about homeless people. "I'm not homeless," she observed.
We sat at the little kitchen table over our takeout calzone and and held hands. I asked if she would say the blessing. "Dear God, please help the homeless lady. Help her to have a good and safe life. Amen."