Today

Today was magic.

I woke this morning to sunshine and the promise of Spring. I wanted to feel it, the world with all its wonders. No worries. No politics. No virus headlines. No rules. So I gave myself the precious gift of a day filled with all of my heart’s desires.

I started with a two and a half mile run, then a long walk with Charlotte, giving way to a nice quiet breakfast at home before hopping the train to Washington Square Park.

People seemed so conscious of each other on the train. Much more so than usual. There was more eye contact. The novel coronavirus-2019 has brought a certain cognizance. Sniffles were a little louder. And coughs… well, simple coughs seemed deafening, with all eyes on the offender.

The train operator’s voice could be heard at every stop suggesting to keep your mouth and nose covered and to wash your hands when you get off the train. Out of about 25 passengers in my train car, only one had a mask on. I took note. The mask looked so uncomfortable. At one point, she removed her mask and blew her nose. I watched my fellow train passengers. I felt the strange need to hug them, and to hold on tight. I imagined their horrified expressions. “We have today, ” I would tell them.

The park was good medicine, as usual. There is just something about Washington Square Park. There is something about NYU, something so very alive, just sitting there and soaking it all in, the meetings of the minds and the arts.

Someone played piano in the sunshine, while bits and pieces of conversation floated on the breeze. And yes, that’s right, there was a baby grand piano right there in the park. “How is your show doing?” a gentleman asked a young beauty who was stretching what must certainly be her dancer’s body. I snapped a selfie. Wishing I could capture the electricity of the afternoon, the absolute tangibility of life.

I sat on a bench and watched people, feeling the warmth of the sun. Then I walked. Exploring. Window shopping. Daydreaming. Pausing to jot a few things down. Poetry. Bits and pieces of stories. Inspired by everything around me. Creating. For hours…

Finally my spirit was full, but my tummy was empty. So back on the train, heading to Vegan Pad Thai and Papaya Salad. Corthaiyou: “The best Pad Thai in London and New York”. (Dennis from London once told me.) I’ve never eaten my way across London, but I can vouch for the New York part. They are glad to see me, and it makes me smile. This is my spot. I’m a regular now, and it feels like home.

I leaned back on the beautiful elephant cushions and considered my day. It was a good day. I felt every second go by, completely conscious of my place in the world today. No worries. No politics. No virus headlines. No rules. Just people and sunshine. Music and conversation. Exploration and good food. I paused to scribble one last thought before I caught the train home…

May I always remember that all of my todays make up my whole story.

Don’t waste today, Y’all.

Hugs and kisses out there.