My inspiration for this post came from my dear, longtime blogging friend, Debbie @ Musings by an ND Domer's Mom, who is not only a gifted...
As a Christmas present to myself in December, I decided that the next time I used some of my PTO at work, I would treat myself to TWO days in New York City and book a hotel room. And that's exactly what I did earlier this week. It was so nice to not have to do a quick day-trip, but instead, take two days to just relax and chill. However, I never actually relax or chill while I'm in New York because I'm usually running all over the place so that I can see as many things as I can. Yet, having the luxury of two days, felt more relaxing. To simply have the ability to go back to a hotel room, refresh myself, and then go out again, was such a treat.
Over the next two weeks I will be sharing photographs and stories about my recent trip. But for now, I would like to share a very special experience I had on my second day.
Thursday, I made plans to meet up with a fellow coworker who recently moved to Brooklyn. She and I both feel the same about New York...we LOVE it. So we eagerly decided to spend the whole day together walking around the city and savoring each and every second. But before I met up with her that morning, I grabbed myself a fabulous Americano coffee from Eataly/Flatiron, and then walked over to Union Square Park and sat on a bench, and did one of my favorite things to do in New York - people watch.
Over the next two weeks I will be sharing photographs and stories about my recent trip. But for now, I would like to share a very special experience I had on my second day.
Thursday, I made plans to meet up with a fellow coworker who recently moved to Brooklyn. She and I both feel the same about New York...we LOVE it. So we eagerly decided to spend the whole day together walking around the city and savoring each and every second. But before I met up with her that morning, I grabbed myself a fabulous Americano coffee from Eataly/Flatiron, and then walked over to Union Square Park and sat on a bench, and did one of my favorite things to do in New York - people watch.
The story I'm about to share is one of those times in your life when you say to yourself as it's happening, "This is a simple, but special moment. So cherish it. Take it all in. Notice everything. And then be thankful because you're going to always remember this."
This was also one of those times in my life when I got another validation of how genuinely nice and sincere native New Yorker's are. New Yorker's are so often depicted as rude, unaware, and self-centered. But honestly, they're not. They are some of the most down-to-earth and kindhearted people I've encountered. Yes, New Yorker's don't always have a smile plastered on their face, that's absolutely true. However, native New Yorker's wear their smile on their heart. Inside.
As I was sipping my Americano, I noticed a gentleman who was feeding the pigeons in the park. And what I loved about this man was that he was thoroughly involved in the moment - almost as if he was performing a daily and sacred vocation. And he did it with such a beautiful combination of organization and devotion, yet, a casual ease.
Here are several images I was able to capture with my camera that morning.
I give you...the Pigeon Man.
At that point, I took out a Cliff Bar from my backpack and decided to join him in feeding the squirrels. However, the little buggers didn't want anything to do with it. They quickly sniffed the pieces I tossed on the ground and look up at me as if to say, "Hey buddy, I'm not interested in your friggin' Cliff Bar...I want PEANUTS like that other dude over there is handing out!"
And then the sweetest thing happened. The gentleman, who could see that I was having no luck with my Cliff Bar, walked over to me with a handful of peanuts and said, "Here you go...feed them these. Just hold one between your fingers and they'll take it directly out of your hand."
I smiled at him and said, "That is so thoughtful of you. Thank you. I will!"
So I did as he instructed. I took one of the peanuts, held it between my fingers and alas...the squirrel gently accepted it right out of my hand and then winked at me as if to say, "Thank you...much better!"
The gentleman said, "See...there you go. They have a passion for whole peanuts."
He and I chatted briefly about squirrels and how much we loved them. He also told me of another park in the city that has squirrels with black fur and how beautiful they are.
I thank him again for sharing his peanuts with me and told him how much appreciated it.
He waved, and said, "You're welcome. See ya' later."
I said, "See ya' later. Have a great day."
As I stood up and walked out of the park, I thought to myself..."You see, THIS is why I love New York."
And I could feel my heart smiling 😊
This was also one of those times in my life when I got another validation of how genuinely nice and sincere native New Yorker's are. New Yorker's are so often depicted as rude, unaware, and self-centered. But honestly, they're not. They are some of the most down-to-earth and kindhearted people I've encountered. Yes, New Yorker's don't always have a smile plastered on their face, that's absolutely true. However, native New Yorker's wear their smile on their heart. Inside.
As I was sipping my Americano, I noticed a gentleman who was feeding the pigeons in the park. And what I loved about this man was that he was thoroughly involved in the moment - almost as if he was performing a daily and sacred vocation. And he did it with such a beautiful combination of organization and devotion, yet, a casual ease.
Here are several images I was able to capture with my camera that morning.
I give you...the Pigeon Man.
The little yellow container you see him holding was filled with bird seed, which the pigeons took directly out of his hand.
In the photograph below, please note the little squirrel sitting on the bench eating a peanut. What I didn't initially realize was that the gentleman was feeding the squirrels as well.
Suddenly, furry little squirrels began to appear. I watched as he reached inside a canvas bag (where he stored the peanuts) and hand-fed them...
At that point, I took out a Cliff Bar from my backpack and decided to join him in feeding the squirrels. However, the little buggers didn't want anything to do with it. They quickly sniffed the pieces I tossed on the ground and look up at me as if to say, "Hey buddy, I'm not interested in your friggin' Cliff Bar...I want PEANUTS like that other dude over there is handing out!"
And then the sweetest thing happened. The gentleman, who could see that I was having no luck with my Cliff Bar, walked over to me with a handful of peanuts and said, "Here you go...feed them these. Just hold one between your fingers and they'll take it directly out of your hand."
I smiled at him and said, "That is so thoughtful of you. Thank you. I will!"
So I did as he instructed. I took one of the peanuts, held it between my fingers and alas...the squirrel gently accepted it right out of my hand and then winked at me as if to say, "Thank you...much better!"
The gentleman said, "See...there you go. They have a passion for whole peanuts."
He and I chatted briefly about squirrels and how much we loved them. He also told me of another park in the city that has squirrels with black fur and how beautiful they are.
I thank him again for sharing his peanuts with me and told him how much appreciated it.
He waved, and said, "You're welcome. See ya' later."
I said, "See ya' later. Have a great day."
As I stood up and walked out of the park, I thought to myself..."You see, THIS is why I love New York."
And I could feel my heart smiling 😊
Have a faaaabulous weekend everyone!
X
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)