My Most Memorable Encounter - Essay Assignment

Amanda Regan

Dr. Peters

Feature Writing

12 September 2019

Essay Assignment - My Most Memorable Encounter

New York City is cold and crowded in December. Tourists flee here during the holiday season like it's their duty to mankind. Aside from the visitors flocking to Times Square and Fifth Avenue, lies Manhattan’s true elites-- the city’s locals. Maura Regan, my aunt, has been a New Yorker her entire life. The business mogul resides on the Upper West Side and like most true Manhattanites, spends her free time in the countryside of Massachusetts.

It was December, 2016, when I remember the height of my idolization for my aunt. I was visiting the city with my father, Maura's younger brother and fellow New Yorker.

We decided to meet for dinner at an Italian restaurant.

Upon walking in, she stood out among the crowd. Maura wears a hunter green cape-like sweater with faux fur collar. She has a striking presence without having to try. Her comfortable composure speaks for itself. My attire consists of a black, wool coat, ball cap and Nike sneakers. Her appearance makes me want to be just like her and to present myself with elegance at all times.

She greets us with her classic, warm welcome, a kiss on the cheek. Her main concern is that my father and I are comfortable with the restaurant and that we arrived with no trouble. Her personality encapsulates beauty and humor, as she sarcastically remarks about the “oppressive” weather this time of year.

Through dinner she gracefully listens to my father and me talk about our day of tourism, walking the Brooklyn Bridge and getting street dogs. She smiles and appreciates the day we’ve had even though it was none other than predictable.

The dinner ends, and she puts her focus on making sure my father and I arrive home safely. She closes with her contagious, sarcastic humor and a kiss on the cheek goodbye.

This dinner is such a fond memory to look back on because of its genuine nature, but also because Maura is an inspiration. Her success speaks for itself in the way she carries herself, being the perfect mix of serious and lighthearted. From this encounter, and the way that Maura goes through life, I have learned to act with grace, kindness, and always a bit of sarcasm.