It was late at night and I was in the East Village. I had to catch the Number 5 subway up to 86th and Lexington. The subway car was almost empty when I stepped in. The few who were there were minding their own business. Across from me was a man leaning against the doors. He was maybe twenty years old, wearing new hip-hop clothes: baggy pants, expensive sneakers, a loose-fitting and non-descript athletic jacket, a ball cap twisted sideways on his head, and several gold necklaces dangled from his neck. I guessed he was headed to Harlem. He was the kind of man that I might have avoided in my youth, fearing he was up to no good. When I glanced at him, he looked me in the eye, and gave me an upward nod of the chin. He was saying hello. His eyes said, Its cool. I went over, leaned against the door beside him, and said, Im a visitor. In 80s the city was dangerous. These days people look you in the eye. People are kind. They say excuse me. Strangers are helpful on the street to the elderly. This citys civil. What changed? Looking me in the eye, he said, 9/11 changed everything. It seems that these days New Yorkers dont ask the question, Who then is my neighbor? They know everybody is. Lets Pray: Dear God, out of terrible tragedy some of your people have found their common humanity. We thank you that sometimes out of trauma a deeper healing can arise. Amen. Todays Thought Is: From the ashes hope arises.
Posted on: Sun, 22 Jun 2014 10:17:03 +0000
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