The walk from the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art didn’t take long and even though both Urielle and I were starving we wanted to take our time. Thankfully, today is a breezy summer day. It was good to catch up with Ye – our nickname for her. Although it’s only been a little more than a year since I last saw her, for some reason it felt longer than that. We talked about her (and her Mama and little sister Chin) new life in California. How she likes her new school as well as her plans for college. I am happy to see how she’s grown and matured but I also miss the two year old Urielle whom I used to give piggyback rides. She frowned when I teased her about boys.
Her eyes lit up and a smile spread across her face when she saw the giant shuttlecocks at the museum’s lawn. I know she’s been looking forward to spend a day at the museum. When we were planning her vacation, she told me she definitely wanted to check this place out. We agreed to rest and stay outside for a bit. It was hard to resist the urge to sit on the newly mowed grass and relax our tired feet. I noticed it was oddly quiet. Usually this place is packed with visitors and locals.
We went straight to the Rozzelle Court Restaurant to grab lunch before spending the next three to four hours wandering around the museum. In Urielle’s own words this is a beautiful place to have lunch. It feels like you’re in Greece.
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Arts will always be on Tashi and I’s list of favorite places to go anytime of the year. It is a wonderful museum with lots of great collections and art pieces. Each visit is unique. There’s always something new to see and learn. I am glad that Urielle had a great time today.
We concluded our day with a quick stroll at the Plaza. I showed her where I used to work and where the photos of the postcards I sent her were taken.
I also introduced her to my favorite frozen custard, Brownie Bling Pothole from Sheridans. She loved it!
Don’t go to a museum with a destination. Museums are wormholes to other worlds. They are ecstasy machines. Follow your eyes to wherever they lead you…and the world should begin to change for you.
-Jerry Saltz, Art Critic
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