things we do | inspiration in minneapolis

Often our family field trips come as a result of a question posed by one of the kids. In this case, Claire said "Maya, who?" Evidence that I had clearly failed as a mum or Oprah went off air too soon!

Sometime in late September we were having a typical family conversation about everything and nothing. We tend to all talk at the same time which is sometimes confusing, but more often it is amusing and filled with information. During one of those crazy cross-talk sessions it was revealed to me that Claire did not know who Maya Angelou is ... huh? I was flabbergasted. THIS must be rectified!

I knew Dr. Angelou was still speaking but her schedule was limited. After all, the American national treasure, is 84 and goes to all of her engagements via bus. I was not deterred. Claire offered a challenge and I was going to find where this brilliant woman was speaking and go listen!

It turns out the closest venue in the near future was Minneapolis! I had to get tickets. Then it occured to me that I have a virtual friend, with a daughter about Claire's age, who might be interested in attending. Should this woman prove be the same as the woman I've come to know on her blog and in her classes (we all know a public persona can differ from that shown publicly) I was sure she'd at least be happy to go to the show. Much to my delight, Cathy Zielske and her daughter, Aidan, agreed to join us!

This was shaping up to be a real adventure.

Then Claire didn't want to go. This year she's in boarding and in her final year of high school. LOTS of pressure to perform. She didn't want to spare the day - and it would be a full day. I promised her it would be worth it and if it wasn't she could hold it against me forever :)

Well, great news: it was worth it!

Everything was gathered up for our big adventure: passports, itinerary, event tickets, wallet. All set!

We left a foggy and miserable Toronto Pearson and arrived in a drizzly day in Minneapolis-St. Paul. It turns out that Claire got my poor travel gene and we were both a bit woozie when we arrived. Then there was the crazy cab ride to the hotel. The $40 bill didn't help much!

She spied the Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet upon our arrival. Not deterred by being in a busy city core, she headed over to check it out. (My kids seem to thrive on the energy found only in big urban centres, the complete opposite of our sleepy, suburban environment.) I had to laugh at her text: "Outlet? With these prices this is no outlet." That's my girl!

 Time to get ready!

Yes, I'm starting to take more photos of myself. Proof I was here! Then, with tickets and camera, we headed down to the lobby to meet Cathy and Aidan. So exiting! It was a quick walk to dinner at Bucca di Beppo Restaurant.

Aren't they gorgeous? The girls are only a few months apart in age and they had a ton in common. It was so nice to have Claire open up, with her defences put on pause for the evening. (Like many people, she can get very nervous meeting new people and she tends to be a bit prickly until you get to know her). With Aidan being a vegetarian and Claire not getting any "good" pasta in residence it was the perfect restaurant choice. The food was AMAZING. I loved that it was all served "family style" and wish there were something similar here - outside my own kitchen :)

Then we were off to the big event!

Extraordinary. The courage of kindness and the gift of rainbows will be something that stays with me forever. I had said to a friend on facebook that I would love to be like Maya Angelou when I grow up but I don't think I'm brave enough to endure the struggles she's had to endure in order to become the woman she is now. The stories were amazing. Her voice and tone was like a big hug, so engaging. What a tremendous evening!

I know that you can hear many recordings on YouTube and other internet sites, but being there was what it was all about. The audience was mesmerized and we spent a lot of time clapping, laughing and we were happy to give her a well deserved standing ovation upon her arrival and at the end of her inspiring talk.

Many thanks to Cathy and Aidan for sharing this special evening with us!

A bit of after-event conversation. Claire had a few questions that had never occurred to me to explain before we went to the talk. The Black-American experience is something quite foreign to my daughter and not something we in Canada are exposed to with our own "minorities". We just don't share the same history of slavery and oppression. In fact, the town we live in was one of the final destinations of the Underground Railroad, something I wish we celebrated. I think it would be a good idea to explore the history more - if for no other reason than to understand the divisiveness and rhetoric of our closest neighbours and largest trading partner. I'm so glad attending the talk lead to a great conversation and a lot of thoughtful questions!

Happy that the one-hour time change got her some extra sleep!

From my years in a hockey rink I became a fan of mixing too sweet hot chocolate with burnt coffee. It makes a pretty decent mocha. I have to say, THIS morning mocha in the airport was AMAZING.

We had some time once we cleared security so Claire quickly moved on to another priority - Halloween costumes! And with that our Minneapolis adventure came to an end!

I wonder what will be next?