By Carol Tannenhauser
I was trying to walk my dog, fighting a torrent of tourists who had come to my block to view the inflation of the Thanksgiving Day parade balloons, having an Ebenezer Scrooge moment, when a young woman stopped me and said, “Ooh! Can I pet your dog?”
Just what I need, I thought.
“We have three of them back home,” she said. “I need my puppy fix.” As she knelt, petting and praising my dog, something inside of me shifted; I had an Ebenezer Scrooge awakening. I was so thankful for my dog! It wasn’t too late!
“Where’s home?” I asked the woman. “Kansas,” she answered. “Kansas,” I repeated. “Wow. Culture shock, huh?” “Very!” she laughed. “It’s my first time.” “How do you like it?” I asked, bracing for her answer. “I love it!” she exclaimed. “But I’m not sure how you actually live here.” “It’s tricky,” I smiled.
She stood up and said, “Thank you so much for sharing your dog, and Happy Thanksgiving.” “Happy Thanksgiving,” I responded, wholeheartedly, from all of us who are lucky enough to actually live here, and to all a good night.
What a sweet story. I agree. Most of the tourists who stand outside our window for hours waiting to see the balloon inflation seem so happy, smiling and laughing all the while. Although there are some inconveniences for us, it’s a fun time of year in our ‘hood.
No so long ago (maybe 7 years ago), we used to pick up our kids at the PS 87 schoolyard and walk down West 77 Street to view the balloon inflation. Now that the world knows about our neighborhood secret, why would we bother to start at West 73 Street and be herded like sheep?
Very nice perspective. We have alot to be thankful for!
We all wonder how we actually live here! And if/how we could ever live anywhere else.
Aaah… perspective…