Memories of New York

Things lost in relocation — A nostalgic look back!

Photo by Fabien Bazanegue on Unsplash

I arrived in N.Y. from South America several decades ago. It was a February day, cold and snowing. Matter of fact my trip began in the Caribbean island of Antigua and I recall the coldness that permeated the aircraft as we entered the northern hemisphere. We touched down at JFK airport and my soul came home — I fell in love! This is where I was born to be!

It was a glorious February day and a boon to a person who had spent their young days always sweating profusely. I did not know what the ailment was called at that time (hyperhidrosis). I just knew I was always hot and sweating when others were dry and seemed perfectly comfortable.

I began visiting Texas since I had family her, but the heat was always a big problem for me. After my first visit I learned that if I were to survive here I had better visit during the winters. And for many years that’s just what I did.

Then in 2010 some life changes were happening and I decided to change my status from visitor to resident. So I trekked on over with bits of my life leaving the bulk of it, both literally and figuratively behind.

Photo credit: justpene2010

                                     Our first day as Texas residents …

Photo credit: justpene2010 (my Snookums was not yet born)

Gee and I began working at a large hospital with a super busy ER. I needed to get outside to take a break or just to breathe sometimes. The sun hitting the back of my neck as I walked to my car convinced me I could not live here.

The heat!!! Dear God the heat! I was convinced hell was housed in the south.

But I rallied on and some 10 years later here I remain. My recent trip to NY…my   one- time stomping grounds did fill me with some nostalgia.

Photo by HyoSun Rosy Ko on Unsplash

Things I feel I lost:

1. Shopping …nothing beats N.Y. fashion (and I was a fashionable girl).

2. The cold … I love the cold! It is currently summer here in New York but I recall how much I loved winters here, my favorite time of year. The magic and mystery of it all.

3. The FOOD — the best cuisines from every single culture is offered in its authentic self in N.Y. The competition is steep and your presentation and taste has to be on point to even make the cut as there are so many others to choose from.

4. The sounds  — N.Y. is not a quiet city. It rumbles, shouts and rages in a continuous circle…the city never sleeps after all.

5. The people and the fashion — new Yorkers live a life on their own terms.

6. The air of excitement and the busy air of passers by. New Yorkers always seem so busy living life. 

Photo by Patrick Robert Doyle on Unsplash

New Yorkers dance to the beat of their own drums, I envy that, a little. They conform to and for no one. Their fashion tastes are their own and they make no apologies for their choices. I was once one of those New Yorkers with my own sense of fashion complete with the colored hair. 

I realize you lose things in relocation. Texas is now my home but I will always be a New York kinda girl!

This nostalgic trip down memory lane does not mean I am planning to relocate … I just mourn (more like just a little cry) for things I lost that I once had.

May God continue to watch over us all! Be safe!