A Visit to Boston – My Old Stomping Grounds

I got to visit Boston with my girls for part of Lucy’s MCO tour.

Lu and I flew directly from Seattle straight to Boston, thanked our lucky stars (well, God actually) that Grace was able to get on another flight after she missed her connection. The three of us had a joyful reunion at our Boston hotel in Cambridge.

Two things about this trip

1) It was a LOT of work.

Just all the planning and logistics to get there were so overwhelming before we even left…rental cars, hotels, getting permission for Lu to move choir groups so she could sing with her cousin (that was pretty special), trying to figure out the best routes and timing. And then it got even worse when we were there because I was trying to maximize and make the most out of every minute in true Eyre form. Needless to say I didn’t sleep much.

But 2) I LOVED being with these girls.

There is something so powerful to a mama heart to see your girls just love each other. I needed that two-on-one time with both my girls. So grateful we got to do it all.

My Beloved Boston

It felt so good to be back in my own stomping grounds of Boston.

Oh I’ve been back since my Freshman year of college at Boston University quite a few times. But it had been a while. And since Lucy is so into the idea of attending Boston University it was perfect timing for her to take a tour.

My Freshman Year at BU

Man, I’m just so grateful I had that year there. It was only a year, but some massive learning and growing went on in that place for my heart and soul. Living right on Commonwealth Avenue (and also at Wellesley since my sister lived there, I spent a LOT of time there), taking in all that city had to offer.

I became so much more of myself in the discomfort of that place. So many memories at the student ward with Clayton Christensen as my bishop, meeting so many people in the “mission field” after living in Utah for a while who were baffled that I wouldn’t drink at all the parties, my roommate who taught me so much (I am so sad I’ve lost contact with her), the cold that went right to my bones bundled up trudging to classes, the auditorium where I fell in love with art history watching slide after slide of the paintings of the masters blinking at me from that big screen, the clanking of the above-ground green line of the “T” taking me where I needed to go. I was so excited to share it all with Grace (again) and Lucy for the first time.

My Dorm

My dorm back in the day was at West Campus:

The whole week was hot as blazes with a heat wave and heat advisories all over. It almost hit 100 degrees and with that humidity it was quite a contrast to freezing Blakely.

The whole week was also filled to the brim with running into MCO people all over creation. We took over that city and also Palmyra I tell you! Even lots of MCO representation at Niagara Falls (that part is coming soon). Met lots of blog readers too, which was so fun. Thank you so much for saying hello, anyone reading here!

It’s so amazing how many people would take all that time and expense to get to these places, stand in the extreme heat of that New England heat wave in their thick double polyester MCO attire just to sing their hearts out with so much goodness. There really is something about being part of something bigger than yourself. Especially when it is filled with so much goodness you can almost tangibly feel.

Concord

That first morning we had to get up early to be at Lucy’s MCO recording in Concord. I talked about that and how we ran into my brother Noah and his family out of those thousands of people there. Sure love those guys and they joined us to tour Louisa May Alcott’s house after.

Louisa May Alcott’s home

I loved how excited Lucy was to see that place (she LOVES “Little Women” and writing in general), and sometimes I just stop myself in the moment and let gratitude flood my heart that she has these things that keep her so happy. We lucked out that they created an extra tour just for our crew (with N&K too).

We made a quick stop at the Old North Bridge and tried to stop at Walden Pond but it was so busy and we were out of time. It was so not like me, but I turned down that opportunity and kept driving.

Boston Temple

We stopped at the Boston Temple on the way back to the city instead. Lucy was determined we should do baptisms there rather than be on time for her choir practice at symphony hall, and how can you turn down a request like that from your girl who is really actively seeking Jesus? Dang it though, the temple had closed so we just took pictures.

Had the girls touch the temple as per tradition:

“If you allow your children to touch the temple, the temple will touch them.”

Back to visit Boston

The North End

Before the concert Grace and I returned the rental car and headed to the North End for Italian food and Faneuil Hall exploration. I mean, you can’t visit Boston without that! Paul Revere’s house and a cannoli at Mike’s pastries too.

The Concert at Symphony Hall

I already talked about the concert in my patriotic post on the 4th, but I’ll just say again, that music MCO sings lights Lucy up like no other, and it was so fun to see her up in the balcony singing her heart out next to her cousin Lyla. Love those cousins. And I do love all that patriotism with the American flags waving. I do so want to uphold the ideals of this country of ours. Loved being there along with throngs of families all feeling the strength of that music in their bones. The kids’ excitement was electric as we left, especially when we added some late-night gelato into the mix.

Visit Boston with our own Walking/”T” Tour

The next day was just full-on BOSTON. I was determined to show these girls all the best parts of the freedom trail and had grand visions of deep discussions of our history as we walked. But we actually only hit such a small portion of it all. Just not enough time in the day. Here were the highlights:

Beacon Hill

We hit Beacon Hill and the state house and a walk down Acorn Street first off. Those deep cobblestones were tricky for Lucy to navigate, but man she did such a great job maneuvering her way around that city.

Boston Public Gardens

Walking through the Boston Public Gardens, so many memories here, and so beautiful with the ponds and weeping willows swaying with that city skyline as a backdrop.

Copley Square

We walked through Back Bay towards Copley Square, gosh I love that area, and had lunch.

I was sad my beloved area in front of the church and the John Hancock Tower was all under construction, but we soaked it all up anyway.

So many years of taking my kids back to that place over the years! Here’s an old pic with Elle Belle:

Boston Public Library

We explored the Boston Public Library. Out of all the things I think this could have been one of the biggest highlights for all three of us.

(If you look close you’ll see Lucy’s beloved Nutrigrain bars in every picture…she clutched those tight all day.)

I mean, we had just eaten which helped, AND those stone lions greeting you on either side of the stairs? Lucy was jubilant about those.

The light was just so beautiful and that study hall lined with ancient books and tables jeweled with those little green lamps under cavernous marble carvings above, the hushed sacred feeling in there, it was beautiful.

Stopped at Levain en route to our Boston University tour.

Of course.

Boston University

The BOSTON UNIVERSITY tour was what Lucy had been waiting for. She had been writing down all kinds of questions and was ready.

We took my beloved green line to Commonwealth Avenue:

She sat so attentively in the informational session, listened carefully when they talked about average grades and ACT scores, and stood in line to ask her questions when the guy leading our smaller tour was done.

I’m not sure what will happen with all that, but it felt good to let Lucy explore. And also to be back in that space where I learned so much. I still feel an almost magnetic pull to this building where I fell in love with Art History:

Fenway Park

Right next to my campus.

Harvard Square

Walked around Harvard Square and Harvard which was partially under construction.

But gosh, once again, SO many memories in this place!

MJ on Broadway

Lu was determined she wanted some alone-time at the hotel and didn’t want to come with us to the broadway MJ (Michael Jackson) performance. Missed her but loved having Grace to myself, eyes sparkling from that tippy-top row watching all that incredible dance on that stage down below.

Grace found out after we booked those tickets that one of her favorite singers of all time (Lana Del Rey) was performing at Fenway Park. So we ran through the sprinkling rain after MJ to listen and sway to the music from outside the stadium along with other super-fans. Ha!

You see, not a whole lot of Freedom Trail went on, but we did touch the surface…I guess it’s good to leave some things to do when we go back some day. It was a good day.

Wellesley College

Most people who visit Boston don’t get to Wellesley College, but this is an important part of our family so we always visit. Everyone in MCO made their way toward Palmyra the next day. We grabbed a new rental car (didn’t have one in the city) and headed to Wellesley College en route. My “other” beloved stomping grounds. You see, Saren went to Wellesley at the same time I attended Boston University.

This was another thing my girls were most excited about, which is so fun to me. As we walked through all that beauty (and also yes, more summer construction…LOTS of it), I felt so glad in my heart that I have so many memories there.

And also that I did name my daughter Wellesley after I decided that all those years ago.

I mean, how could you not want to name your daughter Wellesley after soaking in all that beauty?

We got a Wellesley sweatshirt for Carson since he sure loves Wellesley:

And walked the paths I’ve walked with all my Wellesley sisters over the years, those famous Wellesley lampposts lighting the way.

Rochester with an Accident

We made our way slowly but surely through heavy traffic and even heavier rainstorms to Rochester to get to our Airbnb. This is where we were staying for the next stint at Palmyra. It’s a seven hour drive but for sure longer in the traffic. By the time we arrived we were starving (so few food options en route).

Our Accident

We stopped at the grocery store since everything was closed, and by 10:30pm finally started to turn the corner onto the street of our Airbnb when a car came out of nowhere and smacked right into the passenger side of the car. The airbags deployed and everything was in slow motion as we skidded to a stop.

I’m still sick to my stomach thinking about what could have happened to my girls who were both on the passenger side. And also what could have happened to the man driving the other car. My phone automatically called 911 from the impact and we were so shaken up as we made sure everyone was ok, and people came out of their houses to see what all the fuss was about.

The fire engine showed up and finally the police.

I can hardly remember all the foggy details aside from being so, so grateful for all the little miracles, that Grace was there to help make friends with a lady who let Lucy use her bathroom and keep Lu under her wing. We were all surprisingly calm, except I remember my kneecaps just kept shaking. After what seemed like forever writing up the police report and talking to the rental car company, we said goodbye to the guy who hit us, I got the girls settled in the Airbnb. Grace and I cut out the airbags with scissors (as instructed by the rental car company, weird experience), and the car actually started (after some minutes we thought maybe it wouldn’t) and I drove it to exchange for another car at the Rochester airport.

Little Miracles

• No one was seriously hurt. So, so grateful.
• They had randomly given us the option for a bigger rental car that morning. I’m sure this helped with the impact.
• I had to exchange our rental car and the airport car rental was only 15 min away. It was amazing that this happened so close and not in the middle of nowhere. And also that the car was drivable to get us there (no tow truck which would have been trickier).
• Amazingly there was not a soul in line at the rental car counter.
• The rental car counter didn’t close until 12:30am of all times…and I got there at 12:15.
• Kim (one of the ladies who came out to see what all the commotion was about) let Lucy use her bathroom, and everyone was so nice.
• The airbags probably helped our heads on impact.
• Not accident related, but Lucy didn’t get seriously hurt falling down the narrow stairs of the Airbnb when I went to exchange the rental car.

And THAT wraps up the Boston area portion of our adventure. From there it was on to Palmyra and the church history sites. Driving very carefully!

Other parts of this trip

• Feeling Patriotic on the 4th of July
• If Ye Lack Wisdom, Ask of God and Church History Sites
• Niagara Falls (coming soon)