Good morning, Tuesday. We all know what today is and as I watch the 9:37 moment of silence for when the plane hit the Pentagon, I'm still floored by the emotion and pain and sorrow I feel for all of those that lost their lives. But as I rode around the city yesterday from 15th and 9th back over the Brooklyn Bridge, I watched on a day much like it was (and today the weather is so reminiscent of that day) I was amazed at the ability of New Yorkers to be resilient- to bounce back from adversary, to celebrate our differences, to embrace all of the colors, creeds, sexual preferences and quirks into one big loving embrace. Somehow, those of us who are lucky enough to still be living here and did not lose our lives on that tragic day, were able to still remember why we love it here. I'll never forget the days following 9/11 in the city- never had I felt so proud to be a New Yorker- somehow we all knew how tender we all were- freshly wounded and allowed to have a little more personal space at the ATM machine, knowing and sad glances on the subway between us all, the sense that we had lost so much but still knew we would somehow get through it. Because we are New Yorkers.
The city gives me and so many others so much life- I left here for 7 years and admittedly I mourned leaving my spiritual home almost every day. Sure I was distracted by work, by warm weather in December, and a million other things. But I never forgot that New York gave me purpose and a life when I moved there on my 23rd birthday- immediately I felt that warm embrace and knew that I had arrived. And now that I am back here in this heaving, chaotic, exciting and beautiful city- I know that no matter where I am, this is my home. Though I was not born here, New York always felt that way, and despite tremendous struggles and tragedies that occured here, I love it today more than I ever have. And really in many ways, I was born here- the me I wanted to be did not come alive until moving here.
And as we teeter toward an election with huge implications for our future as Americans, I urge all of you to take a cue from New Yorkers- sure we're loud, we're brash, and sometimes in too much of a hurry to say "sorry" when we bump into you on a busy street. But here's what else we are- passionate, amazingly resilient, and incredibly good at moving on and moving forward. In the years since 9/11, this country has been through so much. But all of us must remember what makes us proud, who we are, and how our community and neighborhood and family can help us survive. There is nothing that we can't do, as long as we do it together.
New York, you give me and so many others so very much. Though I curse you sometimes for your crowds and cuckooness, I adore you and love you and miss you every time I go away. G-d bless all the souls who lost their lives in the city they loved- and may we all somehow find the strength to move on. Because we're all New Yorkers and Americans today, and that's what's up this beautiful day to be alive in New York City and everywhere kind of Tuesday in the best place on Earth and the only place I can truly call home. I love you so much New York. XO