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By Laurel Ahlfeld Date: 2009 Feb 07 Comment on this Work [[2009.02.07.03.34.27569]] |
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Yes, it's true. Sometimes you wake up, take a shower, answer the phone, and then experience a break up... on your birthday. And you know what... even though it really sucks, and the timing is awful, and it hurts like hell because you put so much time and energy and money into it... you have to vow to enjoy the day. Because, dammit, you're in New York City. And it's your birthday. And you deserve a good day. And by all those "you"s back there, I mean me. Despite the crappy start, this proved to be an amazing day anyway. I put on a polka dot shirt, and a cardigan, and a pencil skirt and matching polka dot accessories, because I'm still me. And I love polka dots. Besides, they're festive for a birthday. I also did my makeup extra carefully today and made sure to use liquid eyeliner to ward off any potential crying spells. There's no recovering from crying in liquid eyeliner. Turns out it wasn't necessary. No tears here so far. First amazing event, my honey-bear Melissa got tickets for us to see Lily Allen this April. It will be incredible to say the least. Then, I met up with a super great friend who walked up and down Lexington getting applications with me in the cold, because I am still unemployed... another unfortunate circumstance. And we walked over to Tiffany & Co. to make a small purchase on the third floor. Who can possibly be sad at Tiffany's? Holly Golightly had it right. Here's where the day starts going ridiculously well. On the elevators at Tiffany's, there are elevator attendants. Customers are not allowed to push the buttons at Tiffany's. That is the job of the men who tend to the elevators. On our way down from the third floor where all the silver lives, the elevator attendant did more than tend to the elevator... he tended to my broken heart. As the doors were sliding closed, he started singing... then he began serenading... me. Hand on heart, arm outstretched, singing at the top of his lungs... It's now or never, come hold me tight Kiss me my darling, be mine tonight Tomorrow will be too late, it's now or never My love won't wait. It was wonderful. He even sang it well! And the other elevator passengers all laughed and enjoyed it thoroughly. But it meant so much to me...I was hurting so badly inside, and this stranger made me laugh and smile and blush and feel something other than numb... and he didn't even know it was my birthday... he just said he "felt inspired." How wonderful... how many people can say, " I was serenaded on the elevator at Tiffany's on my birthday"? Not many, I imagine. I'm pretty sure it isn't company practice. After Tiffany's, we went to the Museum of Modern Art and looked at wonderful works... Seurat, Lautrec, Monet, Picasso, Dali, Boccioni... so many beautiful things to look at. That's the wonderful thing about art. It can make you feel alive even when you'd rather not be. And surrounding yourself by art can make you see the world can be beautiful and thought provoking. Life goes on. It is beautiful and inspiring and it keeps going on without your consent. And I choose to keep going with it. After the MoMA, we popped into the American Folk Art Museum for an unexpected treat. There was a folk band playing that was just fantastic called The Relatives (http://www.myspace.com/wearetherelatives). There was a standup bass, violin, clarinet, guitars, banjo, mandolin, tambourine, and even a washboard and spoons! They played all these traditional songs... they were so captivating... all the instruments and the quality of the music were enchanting. Then they played a song that really struck a chord with me... something about the whole world falling apart but facing it and making it through. It was another thing I just needed to experience today. Because when reality slaps you in the face, sometimes the best thing is to hear something genuine, timeless, and honest... like folk music. I will wake up tomorrow, I will keep breathing, I will keep living, and I will be fine, and even though it aches... I can enjoy spending time with friends, still smile and laugh and blush and appreciate beautiful art and timeless music... and Shake Shack. Which was the most delicious dinner I have eaten since arriving in New York. The night was nicely rounded off by an enormous Diet Coke and a viewing of You've Got Mail at Natalie's apartment followed by a brisk walk home and calling several wonderful people back to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of this strangely wonderful beginning to yet another year of my life. This will be a memorable birthday more so for the good than the bad. I love my life. I love my friends and family. And I do not regret where life has led me. Happy birthday to me! |