There is a song called "Always Wear Sunscreen" that lists several words of advice to graduating seniors. Among those lines are, "Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard." I recently visited New York City, New York...The City So Nice, They Named It Twice! Though I was there for a day of meetings with a company on the 60th floor of the Empire State Building, my associate, Shannon, and I had an opportunity to squeeze in some sites, great meals and a Yankees game. The entire time I was there, my mind was drawn to four dominating thoughts.
1. I am such a small little fish in such a huge pond. I grew up in highly populated, Los Angeles, but never before did I feel like a speck as I did in the Big Apple. I think within five minutes in Time Square, more people passed before me than live in American Fork. It truly is amazing how many people are there. I have never considered myself a country bumpkin, but I couldn't help to feel like one as I walked around NYC with my head constantly looking up at all the hoopla around me. Ultimately, I am happy I live in a much smaller and much slower paced community.
2. I was saddened as I watched the faces of those around me. Of course, in big cities, most know not to look at anyone else. We are trained to look at the ground, or straight ahead without acknowledging anyone and without gaining eye contact. Not a soul. Not a soul. They all seemed to be soul-less or defeated. I couldn't help but to wonder what sad existences the majority of those faces must live. They appeared to have no reason to live. Could this be the result of being such a small fish in a big pond? To say hello or to reach out to one of these sad faces would immediately result in a smile chasing away the frown. I could not help to think about how little effort it would take to make a difference in their lives. I could not help to remember the Ghostbusters II movie where the main plot and problem revolved around the ooze below the city that was caused by the bitterness, hate and discontent of the citizens of NYC.
3. NYC is truly a melting pot. Again, I realize I have become a sheltered Utah boy; living in my little bubble where the bulk of diversity is found in less than authentic Mexican Food. I still couldn't help but to stand in awe as I witnessed so many different people. I stood on the corner in front of the Macy's for ten minutes and literally saw every shape, size, make and model of humankind. If you made a list of every physical and non-physical trait a human can have, I saw every combination of those traits possible; every religion was represented, every nationality was present and every language was heard. Truly an educational experience.
4. The memory of 9-11 still leaves me breathless. It is still a very real experience that is fresh on the mind of the city's people. The hate for Muslim's is very alive and I will not judge them for that. I can only imagine what it must feel like to have been there that fateful day. I know it affected me greatly and I cannot fathom how much more intense those feelings would be for me had I been there. As our limo driver described to us the events of the day and the day four days later when he was allowed back into the city, my heart stopped, my skin got goose bumps and my spine shivered. He described the smell and how it burned his eyes and the stung the back of his throat. He described the piles of bodies and debris. I couldn't help to be sad for the citizens of this amazing city. We visited St. Paul's Church. This church was built prior to the birth of our country and is directly across the street from ground zero. It is now a museum and memorial for the victims and heros of this sad day. I found myself mesmerized by one display in particular as I stared and took it in for fifteen minutes. There was a picture of a firefighter sleeping on a pew with his coat draped over the bench. Below that picture was a tattered NYCFD jacket draped over the pew with a pair of boots under. This touched me deeply. Sometimes I believe my ability to write is very effective, but I cannot put together the words of how I felt as I stared at this empty jacket. I couldn't help but to wonder who's jacket it was or what happened to it's owner. I reflected solemnly the thousands that lost their lives at the hands of these villains and the dozens that sacrificed themselves to rescue the others.
New York City was fun. We had some amazing meals at Spark's Steakhouse and Keen's Gentlemens Club and Chop House. We had VIP passes to the very top of the Empire State Building (16 floors above the observatory deck) and the amazing view of Manhattan island from tip to tip. We had seats in row 1 right behind the plate at the new New York Yankees Stadium. We had a great slice of NYC Pizza and some meat on a stick (Anthony Bourdain would be proud). We saw the incredible St. John the Divine Cathedral and many more amazing architectural accomplishments. All in all, I loved my visit to NYC, but I would NEVER want to live there for fear of becoming too hard.
