Central Park has hooked me. Wonders fill the park. Each visit brings new sights. New experiences.
Even when one becomes lost, delight often lies just around the next corner.
See you along the Trail.
Category Archives: New York
Why I like New York 17: two turtles
Across the city, images evoke Tolkien. Two towers abound. Today’s trip to Central Park brought a different image. Look closely. They are there.
See you along the Trail.
Why I like New York 16: Enthusiasm
People who visit New York sometimes bring such uninhibited enthusiasm. It makes me wonder if what happens in New York, stays in New York.
My week began in Chicago where Tricia received the Distinguished Alumna award from McCormick Theological Seminary. Thanks Sung Yeon for the photo of Tricia accepting the award!
My return flight took me through St. Louis – a perfectly logical flight plan, right? I boarded in St. Louis and found a seat. A group of five women followed me onto the plane. They took five of the seats across the aisle.
They talked. Loudly. Lustily. Happily. They appeared almost giddy. They were going to New York and they were pumped.
They talked about how they will travel around New York and what they will see. They named everything they plan to do and they plan to do a lot. They named everything they plan to drink and they plan to drink a lot.
They bubbled. Giggled. Laughed.
Enthusiasm for their visit to New York surged out of them like a flood bursting a dam. It washed over everyone who could hear them. That probably included everyone on the plane and some people out in the waiting area. We were bathed in their excitement for their visit to the Big Apple.
Again and again, I see people on planes bound for LGA with similar reactions. There is something – something – about New York that can draw that enthusiasm out of us as few places can.
See you along the Trail.
Why I like New York 15 – it’s more than just a ride
When first I came to New York City, I believed the subway served as a means of transportation.
During the two years that I have lived here, that belief has proven correct, again and again.
But I have also learned that the subway has far more uses that I ever imagined.
Some of those uses depress me. Some inspire. Many confound and amuse.
Take today.
From when I got on the subway at 125th until I got off at 96th, I watched – by glances not constantly – a woman attach false eyelashes, use tweezers on her eyebrows, and apply mascara. She sat at the end of a bench and used the wall of the car as a mirror.
Not just a way to get from here to there, the subway also functions as a moving salon.
See you along the Trail.
Why I like New York 14 – hospitality
In a world where so many are not welcome
You gotta love a store
that provides
unexpected hospitality
of this sort.
See you at Ivy League Stationers
and others spots
along the Trail.
Filed under New York
Why I like New York 13 – communion at presbytery
Yes.
The Presbytery of New York City has issues.
Presbytery meetings can prove frustrating.
The presbytery experiences
dysfunction
disconnection
disruption
challenges
brokenness.
But …
today as the presbytery gathered one more time,
I had the privilege
to help celebrate communion.
I led the great prayer of thanksgiving
and I helped serve.
I stood there holding the platen
that held the bread
as the members of the presbytery
came forward
to receive the Body of Christ:
people of many races,
people of different ages;
people who walked spryly,
people who used canes;
people I knew well,
people whose names I read from their name tags;
each one my sister, my brother,
all sisters and brothers to each other.
Again and again
my voice cracked,
my tears welled in my eyes
as the wonder
the grace
the love
of it all
near overwhelmed me.
See you along the Trail.
Why I like New York 12 – view from a New Jersey Transit bus
Television and films have turned the city itself into a character;
views from many frames of reference show that reality:
each one expressing and adding to the
depth and breadth of
its beauty and wonder.
A meeting today drew me to Englewood, New Jersey
and this view from the bus.
See you along the Trail.
19 September 2012
Souvenirs
My family instilled a love of travel in me. Childhood memories of road trips, camping and “the box” where we carried food to cut costs, fill me.
On the trips my brother and sister and I would often get souvenirs. Sometimes the decisions took place in an instant. Other times deep thought went into the decision. I watched my sons do the same. Few if any of my souvenirs remain, although the memories shine strong. Some of my sons’ souvenirs decorate our house, they may retain others, others disappeared long ago. In any case, I hope they have wonderful memories as well.
Whether discarded before the trip ended or preserved until the present day, choice stood as a common factor behind them. I selected each of my souvenirs as did my siblings and children in their turn.
Yesterday, I obtained a souvenir that someone chose for me. I traveled to Princeton Theological Seminary to meet with students who will do field education at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. We had great conversations and a picnic lunch. Then I headed to the train and the trip back to New York.
I sat, unknowing, in a quiet car. I either missed the sign or there it did not exist. I either missed the announcement or no announcement came.
I had started a phone conversation on the platform. I continued it in my seat. All went well until the conductor made his way down the aisle. He punched my ticket, tersely said, “Quiet car,” and handed me a card.
I quickly ended my call and sat in silence back to New York. I kept my new souvenir. We’ll see how long it lasts.
See you along the Trail.
ANOTHER TUESDAY: Red White & Blues
My friend and colleague Joe is also a poet. I always enjoy the work he shares. When I had read and re-read this one, I finally got up the nerve to ask him if I could post it. I am grateful he said yes and grateful for his writing.
ANOTHER TUESDAY: Red White & Blues
Another Tuesday indeed.
Bright shining spectacular morning sun rising.
Fresh almost autumn breezes.
Another wonderfully grateful start the day.
Calmly remembering.
English friend’s prayer from across The Pond.
Knotting key stripes tied to anniversary.
Rush run catch express bus into Manhattan.
That Tuesday changed road ride to work til now.
Like US flags half-staffed commuters conscious.
Where we were where we are now then again.
Quiet movements search hopes, peace, hope.
Words not needed facts speak for themselves.
Carefully conscious going forward together.
Through urban cavern slice of Freedom Tower soars.
Rising up, shining rising new, far, tall beyond beyond.
Stirs so many so much living monumental memories.
Large tear freezes moment reminding roots + links.
Decade plus red, white blues color considerations.
Uptown Midtown pause respects at US Mission to UN.
Holy Family Church steel relief Easter Christ soars too
Deep stained glass blues, saints letting light through.
Candles in calm reverence seeing all naming names.
Echo arrives Ground Zero officer speaks his heart.
Praying prayers rising up here everywhere today.
Family first, friends too, neighbors, near/far colleagues.
Beyond morning rushing other side of silence rises up.
Day’s works here & around spinning universe challenge.
Seize the Abundance, hold on, stand firm, reach out.
Still Tuesday.
Still NYC, Washington, Shanksville, our world.
Still hopes carrying losses courageously.
Still fears unpredictable, uncertainties, unknowns.
Still amazing graces given, shared, treasured.
Still paths to peace possible – necessary all.
Still – HOME.
joseph cornelius donnelly
tuesday, september 11, 2012 – new york city
Filed under Current Events, Friends, New York, Poem
Along the Graybeard Trail 