Meet Steven & Marcella from Queens, NY

These NYC born and raised siblings are best friends. Steven is the big brother by one year and five months. We found Steven, sitting in our museum area, waiting for his younger sister who was off on a cave tour. We had a long conversation about baseball and life. Steven absolutely adores Yankee player, Aaron Judge (#99) He told Betsy that he had never been to a Yankees game, but if he ever gets the chance, he would love to go. Both he and Marcella have been in a very long battle with cancer; Steven with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Marcella, with stage 1 breast cancer. Thankfully, both are currently in remission. Every now and again while talking, Steven would say, “…and I lived through all that and I am still here, I’m still alive.” They told Betsy a funny story about how when were both diagnosed with cancer, they thought that they were not going to make it, so they both went all out, and bought new cars!

This is the very first time, in a very long time, that the two of them have had time to get away due to one or the other having a doctor appointment. While they sat outside and chatted with Betsy, overlooking the Schoharie Valley, they both kept saying how beautiful and serene it is and how they might just leave the city and move here. For two kids from Queens, a little bit of Upstate has definitely done their hearts and souls some good. We were so honored to host them overnight in our motel, giving them a little bit of rest and relaxation before heading home. When we asked them what they wanted to tell the world, they said, “Life is a work of art and it is beautiful. Make it your own.” Steven & Marcella, we just want you to know that we are so grateful that you are still with us. We wish you continued good health and are so happy that you were able to visit us