Cristina lost her mother Livia in April 2002 and it was a difficult year for her as well as her siblings, Petty and Joe. As Thanksgiving approached, Cristina was energized by hearing that Petty would visit New York to spend the holiday with her daughter Michelle and her family.

Always interested in a good time and surprising people, Cristina decided rather spur-of-the-moment to take an impromptu trip to New York City and surprise Michelle by attending Thanksgiving.