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Community Corner

A Good Day

Sometimes New Yorkers have to lower the sensitivity of there senses just to make it through the day.If it isn't the Cities constant resonance,the soiled smells the mist of grime or the twilight rats, the city will offer up many things that will nauseate newbees.
Nothing seems to be more in a complete package for us to disengage our senses then the street person.
Last week as I turned the corner walking to my morning coffee house on Court I ran into an experience. Three feet from me was a Chinese man on his knees praying to a statue of Mary. Through the churches fence he was pleading with her in his native tongue.I glimpsed at his shopping cart half full with empty bottles and bags.An unfamiliar affection overwhelmed my character, It touched me,I felt humbled. I reached in my pocket and pressed a wad of money in his hand.He immediately fell to the ground and began to cry while thanking me ! I wasn't ready for this I'm a hard ass New Yorker.I chocked up and countered." No, I thank you". For some reason I was the one who benefitted from this unexpected encounter.I continued walking and turned back, I saw that he had returned to the statue of Mary with tears flowing and was thanking her for his good fortune. I realized that day we have six senses ,one of which we have no on or off switch ....... Compassion...Even in New York every so often " Life is Good"

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