Happy Wednesday, Everyone!
A creative topic was chosen for this week's Whatever Wednesday by Kali, and I must say, I had to sit and think about this one, somewhat like I did for this one.
I truly enjoy being a part of these posts each week with Shay and Alissa, and have found my looking forward to them and finding out the topic each week! :)
S O M E T H I N G Y O U T A K E F O R G R A N T E D
(image altered by moi)
Growing up I was fortunate to live near NYC, and my family would go in for adventures, dinners, shows and musicals quite often.
We would always drive in, and upon leaving the city to drive back home, my mother, without fail, would always say, "Please take it in and look at that beautiful skyline."
Being the adolescent and teenager I was at the time, I would often just nonchalantly look out at it, kind of with that yeah, yeah, I've seen it before attitude.
I, like so many, just assumed, which was a mistake and one of many great lessons in life, that the iconic Twin Towers would always be a part of the NYC skyline...that I could always see them, whether I looked at that particular moment or not.
I happened to be living in New York City on 9/11, in the midst of it all.
To this day, when I see the old skyline in pictures, movies, etc., I miss it and feel a moment of sadness.
I can't help but think back to those many times when I was encouraged to look at the skyline, and find myself truly wishing I had taken it in more fully...instead of for granted.
This goes hand in hand with not fully exploring cities and places I have lived, and somewhat taking for granted what each has to offer while I'm there because I just figure I can do it later.
It really is important to be a tourist in your own city, especially, when you live somewhere so many dream to one day visit.
I'm so lucky to live in New York City, once again, and before too long, I plan on doing those things I didn't the last time I lived here.
Like going up to the top of the Empire State Building...I pass it all the time, but it has kind of just become another building in the city, as so many do when you live in them.
Ultimately, I have taken historic skylines and structures for granted...something I plan on changing moving forward.
Love this. I grew up only a quick drive from the city (NYC) and never realized how nice it was to have that convenience until I moved to the other end of the country. Growing up somehow makes us (hopefully) appreciate so much more.
ReplyDeleteLet me tell you every time I drive over the Verrazano I look to my left hoping to see the towers back there. When I was a kid driving by I always had to have a great song playing each time I saw that skyline. It was an event for all of us. Such a great post.
ReplyDeleteOh your post makes me think a bit about how I've realized and seen my home and my travel escapes (cities/countries) before - but I've find in each countrie and citie something magical - which is definitely that what we call "Memories"!:)
ReplyDeleteBye,
NIKA B.
P.S.: Hope to see NYC soon again too:)
I would KILL to go to NYC. I might this fall when I go see Alissa.
ReplyDeleteBut I hear ya, I live it Utah, and there are so many attractions I've never even been to like Moab or the Narrows.
People come from all over the WORLD to see what is sitting right in my back yard.
I miss Pennsylvania all the time and the opportunity it presented for scenery. Granted I have Zions National Park in my backyard, the grand canyon up the way.. I really have nothing to complain about!
ReplyDeleteIt's difficult being a tourist in your own city. I think I'm less willing to take a chance. If i'm a tourist I'll just go somewhere because it's new and fresh. At home I want cozy and familiar.
ReplyDelete