New York City
Time flies, and I haven’t been to New York City in a very long time. The last time I went to New York, the twin towers were still up. So I decided to go to New York this summer, come hell or high water. I went through some complications getting my passport; flight delays and my staying arrangements, but I finally got there. Traditionally, I don’t do vacation, I visit family and I’m usually in the hood and (watching cockroaches crawl on the wall until my cousin gets home). After waiting for their errands to be done, they’d throw me a bone and take me shopping for a couple of hours. But that was then, and this is now. I can’t swim but I wanna sight-see and climb rocks like the white people. New York was like a second home growing up because ironically, both my parents were supposed to migrate to New York (from the west indies). But they both ended up in Canada,.
On my way there, I didn’t quite know what to expect; all I had was childhood memories and my visual projections of what I wanted to do. When I left JFK, I realized that it felt different, and maybe I needed to temper my expectations. Because I figured that I’d resume the same experiences of when I first left, but to think things would be the same 15 years later is unrealistic. I did get to see some of my aunts and uncles, but I only saw one of my cousins (Which is understandable because everyone has busy lives, and I came there unexpectedly). My Uncle, Dave, told me that my Aunt, Joyce, was ill, but he didn’t tell me she was battling stage four cancer; she would have been unrecognizable if it wasn’t for her eyes, smile and voice. She had lost a lot of weight and cancer cells changed her skin, but I was able to have a good conversation with her, and we caught up on old times. That was just another reminder that my family is getting older, and nothing is guaranteed.
My Uncle, Dave, and I drove throughout Brooklyn (especially downtown Brooklyn) and it was unrecognizable. Gentrification totally changed its look; my uncle told me how many neighborhoods were being bought out, and how many New Yorkers were forced to move to Florida, Virginia or Atlanta. We also talked about group economics and race soldier cops harming black people throughout America. But one thing I know is that, New Yorkers are resilient and confident go-getters; they always come back stronger from any adversity. That’s why that city and New Yorkers are loved and adored worldwide.
Overall, it was a great trip; I didn’t get to visit ground zero and some of the other tourist attractions, but I met most of my objectives. But on a sadder note, my Aunt, Joyce, lost her battle to cancer on Sunday, July 24th, 2016. Aunt Joyce was a devoted Christian and a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. You’re gone, but you’ll never be forgotten; we all love you and now, you’re with your father. This post is dedicated to you Aunt Joyce, rest in peace.