Six months and counting

It sometimes seems as if we moved yesterday, but then again it seems as if we've been here for years. I am not at all sure when someone can properly call themselves a New Yorker, but we are here body and soul. (Perhaps it is a magical number of cycling delivery persons successfully dodged; if so, I look forward to balloons and confetti dropping from the sky soon)

Some observations thus far:

- We love it here. This came as no surprise to either of us. This city is like a drug, and the inspiration just seeps into my very soul.

- Avoid Time Square whenever possible. We were already doing this on our pre-visits, so certainly not a problem. We are comfortable being the cafe-bookshop-park kind of people; we don't even own a television, why would we want to hang out on a street that has a gazillion of them?

- Glasses are handy. I have had many near misses of fingers to the eyeballs, as tourists point at every single tall building in the city. I love it though. It is a wonderful feeling to live in that city.

- Stop and take pictures for tourists. Perhaps this is the New York version of stop and smell the roses. I am not that busy or important that I can't stop and take someone's picture in front of which ever building or monument they so choose. It is called human connections, and it's good for the soul. Besides, this is our city now, so I want to leave a good impression.

- Get in front of the mob of tourists waiting at on the curb. I've learned this from watching seasoned New Yorkers. You see, New Yorkers cross the street when they coast is clear, not necessarily when the walk sign appears. If you want to run with the big dogs, (and not get trapped behind the group following the multi-colored umbrella) you get to the edge of that street, and ready, set, dart! Now you're going places, literally.

- The sunny side of the street has fewer tourists. (I'm guessing this will be the opposite in the winter.) After elbowing my way through two shady blocks, I realized the lopsidedness of the situation. Win for me.

- Find a place you love and go there often to refresh your soul. I'm discovering new spots every week that make me stop and breathe, but I already have a few favorites in hand. Whether I'm enjoying a cappuccino, reading a book, writing, or just being for a moment, I am a better version of me when I slow down and breathe.

It seems odd that we've come to the city that never sleeps to learn to slow down and be present. Our life is simple and yet full of goodness, laughter, and love. (I cannot even express how much I adore being married to this amazing soul I call home!) The wife has many wonderful opportunities on her college horizon; the book project that I am working on is challenging, rewarding, frustrating, and beautiful. (leavinggodfindingme.blogspot.com) I am loving it and I am loving what it is doing in me.

Peace to everyone, everywhere.

This week has flown; this week has crawled...

...but this week has been brilliantly beautiful in spite of a pesky toothache. Because I've had dental problems, well...basically since before I was born, I'm familiar with the routine, so this week has been a waiting game for a Monday afternoon appointment that was canceled on Sunday due to a family emergency. Luckily, I stumbled upon a wonderful dental clinic in the area and am now pain-free. (and will proceed to blame all typos in this post on pain meds)

On the flying side of the week, one of my wonderful sister-n-laws experienced NYC this week or I should say NYC experienced the wonderful Nancy! It has been such an adventure to have her visit. She's missed already and we considered hiding all of her belongings in an attempt to force her to stay. I am so grateful to walk this journey with my most wonderful wife, which means I also have the joy of getting to know three lovely sister-n-laws. This week we've laughed, explored, experienced the uncles' general awesomeness, and walked a million miles; It has reminded me, anew, how incredibly lucky I am.

This weekend held another big adventure for me. In spite of the pesky toothache, I attended a PFLAG meeting on Sunday. Having never actually been a part of an LGBT group of any sorts, I was unsure of what to expect; I was unprepared for the level of kindness and beauty that confronted me. I am not usually emotional, but the human goodness I felt in this meeting was enough to move me greatly. It is hard to say what moved me more, the mother who sits at Pride Parades with a sign that reads, I love my gay son, the sixty-plus year old woman who was there for answers because she's just coming to terms with her sexuality, or the transgender woman who so beautifully told her story from tormented jock to happy and fulfilled business woman of today.

I left feeling as if I'd been refreshed and challenged to make this world a safer place for all. In this place of peace and safety, people had felt comfortable sharing their stories with others. I left with an excitement about the sheer goodness that still exists in the world. I also realized, once again, how grateful I am for my parents' acceptance and love for me, my wife, and my new extended family. So many LGBT individuals never receive this acceptance. Pop never fails to ask about the girls (aka my wife's sisters) and mom and pop's home and heart are always open to them. I owe so much of my outlook on life to my parents' beautiful love for all humanity and their sincerity in the expression of such.

I am excited about this new avenue of hope; by volunteering and sharing our story with others, I can be an extension of my parents' example of love and acceptance. I have been given much in this life in terms of love, and it is the very least I can do to share that love and kindness with others. Always.