New York, New York

I am long overdue for a trip to New York.

I've been reading a giant tome entitled, what else, New York, by Edward Rutherfurd, a prolific and 'known for his big books' author. What I'm finding so fascinating about this particular book, is that it starts in the 1600s and follows multiple generations of Dutch, Indian, Italian, Irish and Jewish people, as the city of New York literally grows before your eyes and culminates (I believe - from the inside flap of the book) with the 9/11 tragedy.

Fictional characters interact with Ben Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, J.P. Morgan, etc., as well as making you voyeurs to the slavery, wars, Tammany Hall, and the creation of Central Park and Wall Street.

I love books like this because they remind me of the BFBs (big fat books)that I devoured in my teens. Wonderful authors such as James Michener, Herman Wouk, and Leon Uris supplied me with countless hours of escapism, plus I got to visit exotic and unusual countries without leaving the comfort of my bedroom.

So.....back to New York.

Do you ever find that when you read a particular book, you become inudated with images or themes about the book? I do.

I can't turn on the radio without hearing my new favorite song, Alicia Keys and Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind
I'm humming and singing it badly, but it's contagious.

"New York, concrete jungle where dreams are maaaaaade of...."

The last time I was in New York, was the weekend of August 31, 1997. I will never forget this because it was the first time we had decided to take 2 of our 4 kids with us, to share with them the magic of New York. We went to the U.S. Open tennis matches and watched Michael Chang make it to the semi finals.

When we returned to our hotel, we nonchalantly turned on CNN and were dumbstruck as we watched in shock, the 'breaking news' that Princess Diana was in a serious car accident. That was probably our first exposure to 'breaking news'.

Sadly, in the years that followed, 'breaking news' has become a regular and daily part of our lives. Watching the Twin Towers be 'no more' was surreal, and something I am not looking forward to reliving in the upcoming pages of 'New York', but am prepared for.

In the wake of the recent earthquake in Haiti, I am reminded once again, how precious and short life can be, how buildings can topple, and how people CAN and DO rise to the occasion, giving generously their time, money and whatever assistance is needed.

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As I travel through over 800 years in this book, and see the repeat of wars, struggles and prejudice, I can only hope that 'with time', lessons will be learnt, and we will stop repeating the past and create a new and stronger future.

Just my thoughts.....now back to the book!