Dear New York

Dear New York,

I enjoyed walking your streets and seeing your sights. You are full of life and so very diverse. You’ve seen pain, terror, agony, and so much loss — We mourned with you. We still do.

The Twin Tower Memorials are beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. I felt the weight of those giant empty spaces. I touched the names inscribed in the stone. I was there but a moment, but I will remember always.

Your sounds are just remarkable — horns honking, sirens blaring, horse hooves clomping, and so many feet walking. You handle it well. You just sit there looking magnificent and so very tall. Up, up, I was always looking up.

 

Your many parks are simply lovely – especially Central Park – I do love her. I was pleasantly surprised at how many parks you have. Impressive! They take my breath away — little secret, lingering spots, tucked between the bustling activity.

 

Your landmarks didn’t disappoint! My goodness – Lady Liberty – she caused me to take pause. She is indeed stunning and the fact that I could turn my head and catch a glimpse of her from so many different places – very delightful.

You have an island I’d never heard of – Roosevelt Island – lovely. What a little gem of a place!

I must say, your bridges fascinate me to no end! I’m a bit of a geek, and well, bridges just make my heart do flips. Especially bridges like yours. Oh, my! They took my breath away. Hats off to your amazing men and women who are responsible for such masterpieces.

 

 

Your shows! Well, so many to choose from – we chose “Wicked,” and it was wicked good!! Loved it!
Your transportation options tickled me! I personally experienced airplane, subway, taxi, Uber, sky tram, bicycle taxi (ohmyword what fun!). I didn’t take a carriage ride this time but did the last time I was visiting you. I missed the ferry — so much to do, so little time!

Thank you for the wisdom that it is always best to go potty BEFORE you get in the taxi and thank you taxi driver for pointing that out. You were a gem!

Your food choices are endless. And so delectable. I put some of the best food I’ve ever eaten into my mouth and enjoyed every gluten filled minute of it (paid for it later, but so worth it)!

Your busy nightlife is quite fun to experience. Times Square at ten o’clock at night and it was a bright as day. So many sights, sounds, and smells to ignite the senses. Food on every corner and then some. Perfumed ladies, cologne-drenched men, and smokers (not always cigarettes either) passing on all sides as we meandered through your streets. You kept me on my toes!

Thank you for showing me pathways my Stuart walked. Thank you for leading me to The Strand bookstore (18 miles of books indeed) and to the exact place where he stood beaming for a picture. I felt how happy Stuart would have been standing in that place. Thank you for showing me the book he held in his hand (yep, I bought it)! It would have been one of his happy places — surrounded by books. He so loved books!

I felt him there, in your busy city. I saw him walking the streets, taking pictures and laughing at the silly sights (you do have some silly sights)! He kept telling me to go there, so I know he was there ushering me on to take it all in, to soak up the beauty you hold, to keep it in my heart to remember always.

Thankful for the sweet gift of time with my oldest daughter, Courtney, and my Christmas/ birthday gift. Time away is a gift to this grieving heart.

I treasure every second with my children, grandchildren, and hubby!

So, thank you, New York, for offering a delightful escape filled with beauty, history, and lots of laughs. You are truly one of a kind!