From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (annparry.com)
May 30, 2021
“The world’s favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May.” – Edwin Way Teale (1899-1980)
When I went to my daughter Laurie’s outdoor Baby Shower at Puglia’s Italian Steakhouse in Seaford last weekend, it was the first social event I attended since February 2020.
One of the guests I met for the first time was ADA CEA, a registered nurse at North Shore University Hospital, Northwell Health.
Last May, my post Happy Birthday Ada, Thank you for being our hero! shared how JOEY CESTARE – who was Laurie’s boyfriend then – helped his close friend Ada celebrate her birthday while she was staying at a hotel to avoid exposing her parents to COVID-19.
Seaford, NY, U.S. May 22, 2021. ADA CEA’s a great sport about posing for a photo during Laurie’s outdoor Baby Shower at Puglia’s Italian Restaurant. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
That long year ago, while capturing photos of the poster and truck Joey decorated for Ada’s birthday, I hoped to get the chance to take photos of Ada herself some day.
“Hoped” was an unusually strong and scary part of my wish because Long Island was slammed by the COVID-19 pandemic. I took little about the future for granted, and less still about the present seemed safe.
As 2020 crawled into 2021, my fiancé, Laurie, and older daughter Sue continued to tell me I was the strictest person they knew about limiting places I went and people I was around.
Seaford, NY, U.S. May 22, 2021. L-R, Joey’s grandma and his mom Donna pose for photo during Laurie’s outdoor Baby Shower at Puglia’s Italian Restaurant. (© 2021 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)
Then, not suddenly, it was Saturday, May 22, 2021, and friends and family gathered at Puglia’s under its open-sided tent for Laurie’s Baby Shower.
Virtually every guest who could be vaccinated was vaccinated by then.
Joey’s mom DONNA transformed the venue into something magical, thanks to lots and lots of talent and preparation… plus balloons the color of Laurie’s dress.
And, along with an awesome great-grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins to be…, Donna and I can’t wait to welcome our grandson with love and hope.
FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post): Seaford, NY, U.S. May 22, 2021. L-R, Ada, Amy, Joey, Laurie, Erica… at Laurie’s outdoor Baby Shower at Puglia’s.
May 2020 2021: my Photo Gallery
Puglia’s Italian Steakhouse • 516-809-9922
3943 Merrick Rd, Seaford, NY • directions
