What a Wonderful World

I began writing this a year ago during this exact time, but I never got around to finishing—

Making my way through the bustling crowds of the big city with my so-called “pet rat” in hand, I remembered how much I enjoy visiting New York. Having lived my entire life in the Georgia suburbs, it’s nice to feel a change of pace- from little towns and empty fields for miles to rambunctious streets filled with just about everything you can imagine at every corner. New York gives me perspective. It’s funny; the phrase, “the grass is always greener…” doesn’t become a reality until you find yourself two decades into your life wishing you could measle your way into a life completely opposite to your own. 

Nowadays it’s difficult to find a time for the family to take a vacation together. As my siblings and I get older with more responsibilities at hand, my parents feel the longing to be closer. Guess it has to do with the inevitable passing of time and not wanting to be forgotten or something… Trust me, it’s hard to forget you have parents when your mom is calling you every three hours of the day to “see what’s up!” Gotta love’ em. So, when my sister let me know she wanted to fly to New York for her Spring break, not only was I taken aback because who thinks to visit somewhere colder on a holiday meant to be spent in the tropics, but I also found it endearing as I knew it would mean we would finally take our long-awaited family trip to New York. 

Perhaps you were born into a perfectly functional family; your dad takes on the typical dad role: has everything under control and makes up for lost time in a calm manner, your mom plans the excursion entirely and knows exactly what activities the family will be doing at every point in the trip. If your family is anything like mine, the family vacation is a mess even before the idea is conceived. At no point were we ever on the same page. Bonus points for tears! 

Sunday morning, I found myself consoling my mother for not having let her know I was leaving the hotel to check out some shops while the family got ready. 

That day I wound up with my family in Central Park. There’s so much to appreciate about a place like New York. Everywhere you look there’s a spectacle. It was cold and windy out. As I walked, I inspected every person I saw. Their clothes, how they walked, what they were doing. I remember seeing two guys sitting on a park bench. I’m not the best at approaching people on the street to ask for their photo. I instead try to capture them in their most candid moment. I remember thinking I took out my camera so very subtly to take a photo of these guys sitting, enjoying an afternoon in the park when suddenly the loudest click of my camera ruined the moment. I turned away avoiding their heavy stares. Next time someone notices me taking their photo, I’ll just go up and show them….maybe… I don’t know. 

We made our way through Gossip Girl’s Blair and Chuck wedding scene location and into a fountain area where we took a break from walking. I remember taking it all in. My mother, still upset, wouldn't even look my way, but I didn’t mind. I was with the people I love most, my 18-year-old Maltese in hand away from any responsibility, enjoying the beautiful day that brought the most delightful afternoon of people-watching. In a city so restless, everything felt still. Suddenly, I heard a familiar tune from a guitar across the courtyard. The memory is still etched into my mind. I watched a woman walk by with her daughter as a man strummed “What a Wonderful World,” breaking way into the conversations around me. As the guitar player began to sing, I could see more clearly now that spring was making its way into the city. The trees were blooming, the geese were vocalizing, and for a moment the sun drew in warmth. It was one of those moments you know you’ll never get back. The feeling, the overwhelming joy. I can still remember the feeling. I’ve found that with time, there are details from a memory that fade, but the feeling remains. 

I turned to my parents and told them I loved them. I hugged my sister and held my childhood dog a little tighter. The trip carried on, despite some hiccups. 

There are details from this trip I don’t remember so much now, but I wanted to finish this piece as I hold this memory close to my heart and the video is really cool, I think you should watch it.

https://youtu.be/e90u7-U8eGY

Montage link here :)