Big Apple Attitude

I spent the week of Thanksgiving in New York City with my sister, Juleigh, so we could see my niece, Richele, march in the Macy’s Day Parade. (Proud Aunt Moment – She was chosen to be in the Marcy’s All-Star Band because she is totally awesome!) It was wonderful having a week of sister time. We explored Time Square, Columbus Circle, Battery Park, the 9/11 Memorial, Central Park, 5th Avenue, and Broadway using public transportation and the power of our feet. We walked between 4.5 and 7.5 miles every day and climbed multiple sets of stairs to use the subway. This may sound like a normal vacation, but for the two of us, it was a miracle. Juleigh was severally injured in an accident several years ago. Besides injuring her knee, she developed additional health complications. Two years ago she could barely walk without assistance. Before my tumors were removed in April, I could not have gone. Walking around a block was exhausting, and climbing a set of stairs was like scaling a tall mountain. There was a sweet victory in being in NY together.

A poignant moment occurred when we were on our way to the airport to come home. We were standing at the 9/11 display in the Port of Authority terminal. A lady from New York began a conversation and shared her personal story from that day. She had a brother that worked in one of the towers. He was on vacation that day, but she didn’t know he wasn’t there. Her husband worked in the building next to the towers and saw both planes hit. He was one of the thousands that we saw on TV wandering dazed in the street. She shared what it was like for her to stand outside her home, covered with ash, fearing for her loved ones. She also explained that she still battles anxiety every time she goes into a crowded place like the terminal because there is an unshakable fear of another attack. We shared with her our memories of that day and our feeling of helplessness. We explained how desperately we wanted to help, and the pain that came with not being able to make a difference. As I stood crying with a lady I will never see again, she told us that people in NY now watch out for each other and are kinder and more caring. The impossibly difficult time has made them stronger.

It became apparent that going to New York was the perfect trip for the two of us. Just like New Yorkers, my sister and I have had our personal dark days when we were faced with fear and hopeless discouragement. In the midst of Juleigh’s trials, I sincerely wished I could take her injury. This week she told me she wished she could trade places with me for a while so that I could help me lose weight, but no matter how much we wish we could shield our loved ones, my sister still has her scar and a limp. I have my surgery scar and will always be larger than I would like to be. We all must face our own trials and take ownership of our scars. Past history will always be a part of who we are, but what counts is how we face our fear. Do we cower at home, or do we fight to be better in spite of the obstacles. I choose to take a big bite of New York’s Big Apple attitude and fight to overcome.