Optimistic New Yorkers

About a month ago, a query crossed my desk from the Features Reporter at the New York Daily News. The query read as follows:

[We're searching for the most optimistic New Yorkers.
Candidates would need to have overcome some kind of hardship - can be big or small - but remains extremely cheerful and inspiring.]

The deadline was only a few hours away, but I decided to reply. It was less an effort to be picked up for the article, and more an exercise in optimism - which as it turns out, I really needed. I think everyone does.

So, I thought I'd share:


Are you still looking for Optimistic New Yorkers? I saw your query, and my husband and I are interested in answering it.

He and I are lucky enough to have our jobs and health, however, our hardship came in the form of getting hung out to dry with unexpected taxes this season. We moved to New York in June of '08 from California, and instead of getting a return as we had planned, we ended up owing quite a bit to both State Governments and Federal. We were devastated.

To cure our financial woes? We made a huge financial commitment! We adopted a dog from SoHo's Animal Haven, scrapping the idea that "we cannot afford a dog" as we've been telling ourselves for years.

Turns out, we cannot afford to NOT have a dog. She has literally become a little light of hope and happiness in our lives. We're both up with her every morning at 5:30am, taking a long morning walk and then again in the afternoon. We live across the street from the Hudson River esplanade, and thanks to her, have seen the sun rise and set on a daily basis. Doing so (as opposed to pulling the covers over our heads in fear of a new day) has remarkably improved our outlook on our current situation and the current state of the City, Country and World at large.

We are beginning to see New York, and life in general, through a new set of eyes - our dog's! And what we have found is that its beautiful and alive and constantly moving forward - and optimism is in its very existence.

Our pit-bull mix, Gertie, was found starving and homeless in Morningside Park not 2 months ago. She was abandoned, as so many dogs - and people! - find themselves these days. She was left with nothing but New York - and yet today, she's healthy, fed, walked, sheltered and loved by just about everyone who meets her. Being privy to her story has become a major inspiration to both my husband and I - and perhaps she can be to others.

With so many people down and out, it might be nice to be reminded that the possibilities are infinite - and just when you think you're going to starve to death, New York just might take you in and change your life in amazing ways.