Bring Me Your Love
This is a guest post from Pas de Deux series contributor Christina Fields
It began with a whirlwind, ten-hour rendezvous but I never imagined on that day, sitting on a hard plastic seat, rolling down commuter train tracks that the course of my life would be changed by that visit.
The train came to a stop with a screech like fingernails on a chalkboard. I shuddered for a moment. One part nervous and two parts giddy, my stride off the platform and up those stairs skipped every other step. Reaching the top of the steep incline, I was instantly smitten. I stepped onto the sidewalk and took it all in. The awe could not be contained as my breath leapt from my body, ran ahead and left me behind.
It was April Fool’s Day. Spring was stepping out from winter’s shadow. Hazy skies were replaced by baby blue and tiny olive colored tips peeked from the branches of trees everywhere. The cold ground welcomed softness with shades of lavender, rose and lemon in a dance with the warming sun. This was the day I would see a glimpse of spring in my life and a long awaited break in my own personal winter.
I fell in love with a city that day.
I fell in love with brownstones on quiet streets and small children playing jacks on their steps.
I fell in love with candy and shoe and perfume advertisements stretching several stories high.
I fell in love with people of all races and ethnicities and with the way they dressed and spoke.
I fell in love with finely decorated apartments occupied by diplomats who left the curtains open.
I fell in love with the progress of constant movement and the tranquility of empty streets.
I fell in love with bakeries and delis as well as under lit bars and old Irish pubs.
I fell in love with flashing lights and neon lights and streetlights.
I fell in love with walking on sidewalks along waterways.
I fell in love with bridges and tunnels and buses and underground trains.
It offers strength from believing that anything is possible and it gives support from experiencing the miracles it has seen.
Its presence challenges me to dream big and never give up no matter how dark the day may get.
It stops to gather every hurting soul around its feet and sits in tears with each broken heart.
It throws a full tilt party to celebrate beauty on a stage, on a sky scraping building or a hidden rooftop.
The face welcomes the successful and downtrodden with the same chance to be exactly who they are.
The heartbeat finds rhythm in sirens and horns as well as footsteps and baby carriages.
The voice giggles loudly in amusement, speaks sternly when someone is trying to get away from truth and tenderly when only a gentle truth will do.
The hands work tirelessly to protect those that find shelter in its space. There is no idle time for the one who is willing to give its all.
The feet carry valuable souls a few blocks, across town, beyond the water, or out into the rest of the world without hesitating in the heat and rain and snow and wind.
The lips kiss the foreigner and the native alike in a lavish display of affection without discrimination.
The eyes look longingly on the unique magnificence of Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten Island, and The Bronx.
New York stole my heart ten years ago. It was fast and fiercely strong. It began in passion but has grown to deep respect and appreciation. On that day, I promised that I would spend time in the city at least once each year, until I was able to move close enough to visit anytime I wanted. It took me 5 years to rally my courage and finances but I did it. I moved my life 1,100 miles to be close to the only city I have ever truly loved.
Photo Credit: Creative Commons – plastAnka
Pas de Deux Contributor – Christina Fields
Christina Fields lives in Connecticut while she falls more in love with New York. Recently given the gift of being laid off from business analysis, she enjoys more of the things she loves like writing, running, exploring new cities, and learning to blog. You can also find her on Facebook.
Song: Empire State of Mind – Jay-Z (feat. Alicia Keys)
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