It’s that time of year! The holidays are here and it’s time to reflect on the year and remember how lucky we are to have the love and support of friends and family (of the human and non-human varieties). And while my cats get spoiled with Turkey and Gravy (of the cat food variety!) by the best pet-sitter I could ever ask for, I will be indulging in a traditional Thanksgiving meal ~3,000 miles away.
This year is unusual for me. For the first time since I moved to California (almost a decade ago) I am in New York for Thanksgiving. I have no idea if/when I will ever be back in New York for the Holidays so this trip is very special to me. Not only have I been able to see all my friends who live in the Northeast, but I’ve also been able to see some of the members of my [rather large] extended family, including my newest [6-day-old] cousin! It is so wonderful to be able to reconnect with my friends and family in an environment filled with love and laughter.
Spending time in New York at this time of year has helped me remember my roots: I am a New Yorker; always have been and always will be. I love my fellow New Yorkers and last night as I stood outside the Subway on the Upper West Side by Central Park West where the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade would take place in a matter of hours, as I looked around and watched my fellow New Yorkers bustle about, I realized what I suppose I had known all along, New Yorkers are very unique individuals with a very unique style. And then my friends and I, some of us native New Yorkers, others are transplants from other parts of the world, found each other on the street corner and joined the bustle of the New York crowd, walking, talking and laughing as if no one else existed around us and the city was ours. And as we walked, it was clear that no matter whether we were natives or not, we all fit in perfectly!
All my love to my friends, family, fellow New Yorkers and fans from all over the world! I am truly thankful to have you in my life and your love and support means the world to me!