If someone were to ask me,
“What are the things that make you most happy?” my answer would be easy. Family and friends would be number one. And living in New York City would be number
two. My worst nightmare (that I have
often), and I am not making this up, is that I‘ve moved. I think deep down I have this fear that
nothing good lasts.
The reasons I love this city
are innumerable. I love the energy here.
Its importance to the world. Its
neighborhoods. Its liberalism. Its culture. Its climate. Its geography. Its restaurants. Its color.
And of course, its people.
Today, for example, is an
uneventful day. But the random encounters
I have throughout it make it more memorable than it deserves to be.
First
I meet Luis, an Apple genius and gem.
I’m not sure what his IQ is for deserving his genius status, but it’s
off the charts for likeability and helpfulness. My iPhone battery is draining
again, and he discovers some problem with a logjam of software, or something
like that. The fix is a total reinstall,
which I’m not sure I want to do. But he
offers to help in every way possible. He
even discovers I can upgrade, and looks up the nearest ATT store to see if I
can get a better deal on the iPhone 5S than Apple can offer.
Next
appointment is at my dermatologist’s. My
semi-annual body check shows that all is good. Through the years, I’ve gotten
to know my doctor well, despite seeing her only two or three times a year. If she weren’t my doctor she’d be a good
friend. Our conversations always evolve
to our kids — and not the aren’t they
wonderful kind, but a true sharing of common kid challenges.
Even
the hipsters behind the Stumptown coffee counter are as nice as they are
cool.
Then
there’s this older woman sitting next to me on the bus. Her eyes smile in
agreement at my obvious irritation at the guy sitting behind me chatting
non-stop on his phone, in my ear. We end
up talking about neighborhood restaurants.
And
finally, there’s the 28-year old woman at ATT, who is leaving work tomorrow at
9pm to go home to bake 11 pies. She is
one of 18 siblings (all from the same parents, 3 girls and 15 boys). We sidetrack from our conversation about
phones while she is waiting for her computer to warm up. But this is on the phone and she is from
Louisiana.
New York certainly does not
have a lock on friendly, interesting people.
They are just so easy to find here.
New York is wonderful and if you haven't lived there people don't understand that comment! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and keep writing, makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteWhoever you are you've made my day. Thank you for writing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving Lyn! I agree with Anonymous - keep writing, it goes well with my coffee in the mornings!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Lyn. I too love New York and I've came across incredible people throughout the city, specially when I am photographing around town. As always, I enjoy reading your blog.
ReplyDelete