Some of my earliest childhood memories center on an eventful day at the end of March 1979 or the beginning of April that year.

The details that remain aren’t great, but I remember the shared enjoyment with my Dad on this action-packed spring day in New York City.

Most of the day was set aside for leisure, but my Dad also wanted to visited a suit shop in Manhattan. I think it was his favorite suit shop.

I believe it was the first time I can remember someone shelling out cash to pay a taxi driver. My Dad later told me it was too expensive.

We also visited the Empire State Building that day. The view from the top was, well, amazing. It still is.

And, as a surprise birthday present my Dad took me to see the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus at Madison Square Garden. It was the perfect birthday gift for a 5-year-old.