I know this might incur some hate-mail, but that’s ok. I can take it. People often say that New Yorkers are mean, rushed, not interested in anyone but themselves. When I would tell people I was, in fact, from New York City, they would give me that certain look, like, “Oh, that place. It’s scary and the people are so unfriendly.” But I have never understood where this mythology came from. Rushed, yes…. self-important, sometimes…. but mean. NO.  Or at least, no more mean than people from other places. In my opinion, after spending the better part of three years here in South Florida, New Yorkers are some of the most amazing, helpful well mannered citizens of these United States.

Because this would just never happen in Miami. And it’s one of those things I miss most about New York. How in a city of nearly 9 million people, on any given day, something amazing can happen, a stranger can change your life. Okay, so sometimes it might be them throwing a brick at your head, but more often than not, every day people will reach out and touch you without even blinking. It’s a city where Courage and Guts are as bountiful as the southern hospitality is in Georgia. Fear is not an option in New York, and in a city where anything that can go wrong will go wrong, having millions of others around to help make things right is what makes me yearn for it so often.

Here in Miami, the city of Palm Trees and white sandy beaches, things are different. The beautiful weather and more easy going life come at a cost. It is here, in Miami that I often think people can be self-absorbed, never ever rushed or even timely and very often disconnected. It’s a transient city like New York, but one lacking roots. Perhaps in 50 years it will be different, but right now, it’s still finding its way. It’s a city whose heart still needs to grow……..