If I had a countdown clock it would be counting down the hours until Wednesday morning. People keep saying “wow, you’re going to be living in America,” as if life outside of New York, Southern Florida or California requires a passport and shots. So many people have been doing big and little things for me, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness under the anxiety.
My sister has not just come to terms with it but seems to like the thought of the move.
In 1997, I was self employed. My health insurance premium was $347–found checks when going through files. It’s now over $1200 a month–not because I’m older or have any conditions as anybody can buy health insurance in NY who can afford to. I bought my apartment that year. The monthly charges were $535–now over $1200. Most of the increases happened after 9/11. Yet they say inflation is just beginning. Not in New York.
This all began to be real to me when I canceled my subscription to The New York Times.
This move to a place I didn’t know before last year couldn’t have been possible before I began to blog. I learned so much about people and this incredibly wonderful country that just needs a lot of fixing.
Lucia and I took Little Luce to this Simon & Garfunkel reunion concert when she was eight months old. Her father was scared that something bad would happen–but Lucia and I know Central Park. I don’t know if anything will be in my skin and bones as much as New York, but I’m going to look.
The first concert my sister and I went to was a Simon & Garfunkel concert in Lincoln Center. Our parents sat several rows away. It was horrible that they insisted on coming. I wasn’t going to admit knowing them nor would I be seen talking to them.
This has always been one of my favorite songs. It reminds of being the age Little Luce is now when life was one of infinite possibilities. I’m beginning to feel the possibilities again.
This next one is for the friends I saw last night and a few more. After 30 years, so far I think we’ll be sharing park benches somewhere when we’re 70. It has a bonus song with one of those seminal 60’s words
I will be commenting and posting more regularly once I’m a bit settled.
I’m sure you can get the NYT on the Grandstand! Good luck with the move… I remember those times my parents would take us places and stay in the background (but not out of sight)
i would like to be the first to welcome you to america… its a rather lovely place… of course,, like anywehere it has its ups and downs… but for the most part i have been happy here…..
thanks for the S&G wow… those were some of the more obscure tunes you never really hear .. what a treasure……
good move !!!!!!
This is one of the best posts you’ve written.
I think we all have our own vision/version of what America is. The one thing I have learned in all the places I have traveled and even those that I’ve lived in is that America is, and truly always will be, home.
Anything you want is here in America. Yes no country is perfect. It truly is impossible but we are the fortunate ones who get to call it home. Welcome Home.
New York Times? Is that a paper? No, you can’t get that here 🙂
I doubt anything will ever be in your skin and bones like New York. And you know what? That’s perfectly OK.
As usual, you found perfect songs to fit the mood and the post. Man, S&G were magical together.
Awesome music. You’re almost there & you are going to be a rich girl saving all that money. 🙂