Sometimes I watch…

People watching is one of my favorite pastimes and New York City is ripe with people and characters to watch. I like to watch people as they go by and try to imagine what their story is. Sometimes their whispered conversations give me hints about what their lives are like.It’s been a while since I’ve done it. My last vivid memory of doing this is three years ago; uncertain of where a first date was going I turned MOMA into my own canvas to people watch and paint my own stories of their lives. A few weeks ago I found the need to do so; the soles of my feet weary from traversing the streets of Chelsea, I decided to watch from my park bench at Madison Square park.

I pretended it was my tower. A tower that allowed me to block out the noise and present reality of my weariness and just…watch.

I watched as people bustled by and wondered were they going to the cool of their apartment to hide from the intense heat of the 70 plus degree weather? Or were they like some of my companions on the park bench with no place to go, evident from the overstuffed shopping bags with their  limited personal belongings.

I watched…

I was once like those people wondering where to go; with a disappearing roof over my head, pennies in my hand, I wondered. I thank God every day that a stranger let me in. Now, in a better place I… watch.

I watched as the gay couple walked by, happily arm in arm and wondered if their love will last; love can be so fleeting sometimes….

A blind man passed by; his walking stick his guide. I noticed he was sharply dressed in an expensive suit and I  wondered where he worked…he’s probably a kick ass executive some where.

I watched…

The more I watched, the more I was reminded we all do not fit one mold. Our uniqueness is what makes us special and what makes N.Y. special.

My watching over, my feet refreshed I bid N.Y adieu and my storytime goodbye to go back to my reality of New Jersey. Maybe I’ll watch again in 3 years…we’ll see.