I'm not going to lie, when my almost-college-graduate, oldest-one-three told me that she was going to accept a year-long AmeriCorp service position in New York City after her college graduation, my heart palpated a few times. Okay, let's be honest, more than a few times. I was super excited for her but my momma's heart was scared. I mean this was my first born, my Doodlebug!! And NYC was glamorous to visit, but I was sure it was tough on residents.
Then, COVID-19.
She spent her final month and a half of her last college semester doing work from her childhood bedroom. Everything shut down. New York City was a wreck!
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| Central Park - one of her favorite spots |
After I am sure, careful thought, she decided to continue on with her plan and the position. So, in August 2020, in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, we moved her to New York City. I know what you're thinking - the shopping, the museums, Central Park, the glamour. Nope! The city that never sleeps was taking a nap. Shopping was minimal, subways operated only at certain times, and museums were closed. The restaurants that had started to open were just serving take-out and some occasional outdoor dining. Leaving her on her apartment stoop that August afternoon was so, so hard. The car ride home was tearful.
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| Apartment Rooftop |
Soon after moving to NYC, her AmeriCorp organization announced that she would be an entirely virtual worker. The work she had planned to do in a residential foster facility for children turned into busywork and spreadsheets on her computer in her 10 x 10 bedroom in her 4th floor walk up apartment. She began working a part-time job at a restaurant on the weekends for some interaction and let's face it, money. After all, that 10 x 10 bedroom in NYC was ridiculously expensive. Soon though, the spreadsheets and isolation took their toll. So, in December 2020, she decided to look for another job. She didn't want to give up on NYC yet.
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| 1st Ave - outside her apartment |
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| Grand Central |
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| 103 St Subway Stop |
Since January of 2021, she has mostly worked for a professional dog walking service. I am not sure even she can count how many miles she has walked across Manhattan. So. Much. Walking! It's not a glamorous job or even a high paying job, and it certainly doesn't require her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, but if you know my Doodlebug, you know she LOVES puppos!
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| Central Park |
I have visited her numerous times since she moved. And every time, I have seen more confidence in her as she navigates us through the city. She's a very competent subway traveler and bargain finder. She has lived in two different apartments with roommates that she had never met before. She has learned a great deal about her finances, or lack there of! :-) She has experienced art and people (good and bad) and food and culture and history and success and loss. My oldest-one-of-three is great in a crisis!! Just not when it is her crisis, and she has even had to handle a few of those among the giantness of NYC. Through all of the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, with each step, she has become a stronger advocate for herself, learned what is truly important to her, and made memories that will last forever. I don't know that I could have done the same at her age. She is brave!
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| The Met - another favorite place |
This past weekend was her last full weekend in NYC. Her time there has come to a close. Am I glad she is going to be back in the same state with me? Of course! I'm her mom.
But I'm not going to lie, as I spent her last weekend with her and snapped photos of her doing her NYC thing - I fought back tears a time or two. Why? Not because I was sad for her to leave, but because my heart was filled with incredible pride for her and what she has learned and the courage she has had to make this journey happen.
So, just like when I left her that very first trip, this last trip home was tearful. Proud and heart-filled-with-joy for her tearful!
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| My Doodlebug |
