So this is how it all ends...
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And suddenly, moving day was here. All the worries, all the sentimentality, in that last week, it all disappeared. Just like my time in New York.
Interestingly, I didn't feel any pressure about checking something off the bucket list. I had been sure to take care of that during the last six months. Importance was really placed on seeing the people and things that had made an impact on me these last six years.
Reading Leaves of Grass in Ft. Greene Park; a Thursday evening visit to the Met; endless walks through Brooklyn and the neighborhood; a stroll over the meadows of Prospect Park. The Cloisters once again impressed, this time I finally got to see The Merode Altarpiece by Robert Campin. The tour of the Plymouth Church, with it's Lincoln pew and its place on the Underground Railroad, really came alive through my tour guide.
The people though: that's who I had to see. There's something comforting about being geographically close to people, even if you only see them once every six months. I tried to cram the next six months in to that last week.
Somewhat surprisingly, my former roommates and colleagues were highest on the list of people to see. Considering I spent more time with them than anyone else in the City, that should be a good thing. And it is. It just took me a little off guard.
Drinks with Rob, drinks with Katerina and Roxana, drinks with Will and John, all former colleagues at CDS - with everything that's changed at CDS, erm... Cultural Vistas, there was a strange comfort in hearing that so many of the actions, reactions, and emotions associated with them were still there. There was also the sad realization that I should have had more one-off drinks with people over these past couple of years.
The old roommates too - I tried to see as many of them as I could. A good haircut from Andrea, along with drinks with her and Tyler and their significant others at the Spring Lounge was a real treat. Looking back on all 13(?) roommates of mine, I realized that some friends make great roommates, while some roommates make even better friends.
And then, the last day was here.
Laurens helped me load the truck that would carry my to Austin. He had two friends in town which were volunteered for service. That's the sign of a great roommate (not sure what kind of friend though).
That 16 foot truck was bigger than any of my previous Brooklyn rooms. Chairs, beds, and who-knows-what filled it to the brim. To think I arrived in this City with two suitcases and a backpack. Where did all of this stuff come from?!
After loading the truck, I enjoyed my last day in the City by walking through the borough I love. Past the already-rusted new stadium, down Flatbush with its City vista and honking dollar cabs, up Fulton Mall, which will surely be the next area affected by the "remember when's", and on to the floor of Borough Hall. I had such a smile on my face - I don't think anyone could have enjoyed Brooklyn anymore than I did at that very moment.
The 4 train whisked me away to the southern tip of Manhattan. From the platform of the Staten Island Ferry, I watched the sun sink behind the cranes of New Jersey. "And so ends my last day in New York", I said to Laurens. I don't think I ever would have expected it to end any differently. We sipped on our Budweisers as we enjoyed the view.
That evening I met Rusty and Pauline for dinner at the Waterfront. I'd hoped to make it an early evening, but there was a gathering at Woodwork and it involved more old roommates, some of the soccer boys, and Little Kings beer. So much for the early evening. A shot committee meeting took place on the roof of our house following that (don't tell the neighbors!). My attention was equally split between the skyline and the lights of Vanderbilt, the neighborhood thoroughfare. The City itself was captivating, but it was Brooklyn that captured my heart.
Climbing down the stairs, I gave one last look out at my home - the Statue of Liberty glimmered across the harbor. Thank you. What a way to close up six years.
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