WHAT DO I MISS ABOUT NEW YORK?

 

NEW YORK

    For all those curiosity seekers out there...YES! I do miss some things about NY. It was my home for 51 1/2 years of my life. When Frank Sinatra sang "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere" when he sang "New York, New York" he certainly was not kidding! Wow! Outside of New York is a different world. But I wouldn't trade this decision moving to South Carolina for the world. When I pulled out of my driveway last December 5th with the snow falling heavy and very few cars on the road, I will never forget the feeling I had when I crossed the George Washington Bridge, and I was well into New Jersey headed to Pennsylvania. I felt the stress move away from me. If you live in what they call the "Tri-State area" you know exactly what I mean! I am not saying that only New York has stress, there is stress everywhere you go. I do believe that it is magnified in New York. Just look at many athletes who play sports in New York. Some cannot handle the stress of playing there and answering to the media. Working at a big church as well as a new church plant, there was always stressful things I had to attend to. Working at Chick Fil-A in New York vs. Chick Fil-A in South Carolina is two different worlds! It's like night and day! So, with all this said, let me share with you the things I do miss about New York in no particular order!

FRIENDS

I do miss my friends from both churches I served at as well as friends I worked with and have known through the years. We had a special bond, something I will cherish always. I look forward to visiting and seeing everyone again and with today's technology, you can always glance at Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok to see what is going on in your friends lives! There is also this thing called a cell phone that you can call. You don't need to put a dime or quarter in it!

FAMILY

Although my family does not live in New York, I do miss them. We all grew up in NY and although I was the first family member who wanted to leave New York, I turned out to be the last to leave...go figure. God had more work for me to do there before my departure. My family means the world to me, and I have gotten close to them during many of my challenging times through the years. I miss them dearly!

THE FOOD

The food here in SC is not "God awful" but let me just say there is nothing like a New York Pizza or New York bagels (even though I can't eat them anymore because of my celiacs disease). I am told they are the best in the world. There is nothing like New York Italian food! I know many New Yorkers moved here to try and duplicate pizza and bagels but there is something about that "New York taste!" I'm not complaining because if you know me, you know I eat everything (except Brussel Sprouts). 

MY CHURCH

I do miss very much my church family at Lift Jesus Higher Fellowship where I served for a little over two years in Rocky Point, NY. It was a pleasure serving the church family and the kids there. I built very special friendships there and loved the comradery there. The church there has tremendous potential under the leadership of Pastor Tom Strigaro. I miss you all and I know God has big plans for you all. Stay obedient!

SPORTS RADIO

I remember in 1987 when WFAN first came on the air. I thought it was so cool that there was a radio station dedicated to talking sports. I would listen to it on my way home from work. I did get annoyed when they "talked nonsense" or subjects not related to sports. It was fun to hear people's opinions on all nine New York area teams...The Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees, Rangers, Islanders, Knicks, Nets and Devils. In South Carolina we have no professional teams so on their station they are breaking down University of South Carolina Gamecocks football, baseball or basketball games...yawn. It is what it is. Maybe one day Columbia SC will get a pro team. Probably not unless it's a United Football League team.

ALL FOUR SEASONS & THAT FIRST SNOWFALL

It does get cold here and we do get snow...well not a lot but when we do everything shuts down. Mainly because the people here don't know how to drive in it. I always loved in New Yor that first snowfall. I got to experience it when I left New York but that first one was always special. As far as the seasons we do sort of have all four. The fall begins here in late and early December. The winter is January but at times it could get warm here in the afternoon after it was 30 degrees in the morning. I haven't experienced spring yet, but I have noticed in early March, many trees are starting to bud new leaves. There is nothing like it when you experience the fall season in New York when the leaves change color, and the foliage looks like a beautiful painting. I have heard that it has gone well over 100 degrees here in the summer. I will be ready for it...I hope!

THE PUPPET GUY IN NY

I know it will take me some time to get a name for myself and begin traveling as a child evangelist, but I do miss traveling to churches in New York as well as to Christian Schools. I did have a great reputation there and I know I was very much appreciated by churches and schools whenever I had the opportunity to travel and minister. I guess ministering there for well over 48 years helped A LOT! Once I am settled here, I know doors will be open for me. I do have one open door on April 12th to do some fun things at a Birthday party! The Puppet Guy will not die but only get stronger!

Thank you all for reading and for supporting my blog! To all my New York friends past and present, please know you are loved and missed!!