Sat on Walt Disney's lap
My maternal grandfather was a barber in a ritzy hotel in New York City. Apparently Mr. Disney came in while I was visiting and I got to sit on his lap while he got his hair cut. I have no memory of this but my mother always listed it as a highlight of my life.
Chatted with Woody Allen
Whenever I went to a Broadway musical I would wander up to Colony Records (a once famous, but now closed, record store in Times Square) after the show to buy the soundtrack. Once as I was picking out my selection Woody Allen asked me how I had enjoyed the show. We had a brief conversation of which I remember only snippets, but I do remember he made me laugh.
The Brooklyn Bridge
I have used every mode of transportation under, on and over the Brooklyn Bridge - a subway and a boat underneath, I have driven over the lower level, walked and ridden a bicycle across the upper level, and I have flown over it. This is probably not all that unique for New Yorkers, but I still think it is pretty cool that there are so many ways to cross this, my favorite of all bridges.
Riding in police car
When Martha was still a cop, she drove an unmarked police car. When I rode with her, if I saw a driver do something irritating (speeding, cutting someone off, etc) she would let me pull the flashing red light out from under the dash and she would pull them over. I can’t tell you how satisfying that was. When she retired I begged her for that red light. But apparently . . . no.
Didn’t let them win
It took me years and years of therapy and hard work to get a grip on trauma and to begin to process the violence and cruelty and humiliation of rape. I know that there are lots of people who have conquered their traumas a lot faster and dealt with their PTSD a lot better than I. And I know that it will be a lifetime of work to stay on top of it. Still, to have reached this place of confidence and acceptance and strength - it is probably the thing I am most proud of.
Once, as a tourist, I took the Circle Line around Manhattan. I still remember the awe I felt, both at the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. They literally took my breath away.
ReplyDeleteProud seems like such a small word for what you've accomplished overcoming trauma. I am relieved that there are only a few people who have experienced what you did, but I am sure you serve as an inspiration to many of them. You are certainly an inspiration to me!
I love the family-lore stories (hardly remembered) but oh, so full of impact. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell done.
These are all so cool!
ReplyDeleteSue is right - you are an inspiration to many.
Great list! Love that it encompasses so many time periods in your life - including the present!
ReplyDeletexoxoxo
I lived in NYC for a few years and never once crossed the Brooklyn Bridge although I worked on Fulton and could see it from my office. I'm sorry to read Colony Records closed. Another victim of the digital age I suppose. This was a fun list and congratulations on not letting them win. That is quite the accomplishment. You should be proud.
ReplyDelete