Reflections of, by, and for New Yorkers

To live in NYC is to ruminate about NYC.

To be a New Yorker is a state of mind as much as a way of life. 

If you've ever lived in NYC for any period of time, the city stamps itself on your soul, it lives inside you, for better or worse, forever, wherever you go. 

And this is true for New Yorkers past and present, especially for those New Yorkers who carry memories of, and hold deep feelings for, the city's past while existing in its present. 

I count myself as one such New Yorker.

Some recent developments has made me think a lot about how New Yorkers reflect upon their city -- past, present, and future -- and how New Yorkers reflect upon themselves. 

First, the past: there's a new documentary about the old-fasioned automats, the vast cafaterias around the city where you could get fast, quick meals. You would walk in and go up to an array of small windows, drop a few coins into slot, and the windows would open giving you a sandwhich, coffee, slice of cake, mac'n'chesse, juice, comfort food like that. There were a staple of the city for decades and many New Yorkers -- Mel  Brooks, Colin Powell, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, my mother -- were automat regulars. They gave New Yorkers a sense of community, a bond, even if the automat patrons didn't know or talk to each other. It became part of their souls and memories that they carried within themselves forever -- even when some of the automat regulars went on to fame and fortune. Obviously the advent of fast-food put the automats out of business (although the last one didn't close in NYC until 1991) but they remain a beloved part of the city's past.

Second, the present: in case you haven't read today's news (today being February 24, 2022, soon-to-be a date in the past), Russia is invading Ukraine. For most Americans, this is far-off event happening to a far-off people. But there is a huge Ukrainian community/diaspora in NYC, and this tragedy hits them personally, especially those with family back home. In fact, part of the East Village is called "Little Ukraine" and it includes one of my favorite hangout, Veselka, the great Ukrainian restaurant/dessert place. For these Ukrainian New Yorkers, this moment must make them reflect about their home country and their lives and families there vs. their lives in NYC. Because NYC has such a vibrant Ukrainian community, hopefully Ukrainians can get some comfort and strength from each other and fellow New Yorkers.

Third, the future: soon there will be a new Delta terminal at La Guarida airport. What will be special about it (besides it's flashy new 21st-century features) are the six permanent art installations by six NYC artists. The works will include lights, sculptures, tiles, and other artworks that reflect the diversity, vibrancy, and people of this city to the doubtless passengers who will pass through the terminal. It will be the city reflecting itself to the future citizens of, and visitors to, NYC, the past speaking to and educating the future about the people who live, work, and make this city such a special, unique place.