New York City
At the
turn of the 20th
Century, my mother’s father came to this country from a
village in Russia to escape poverty and persecution. He
lived in Coney Island and worked his way up the “rag” business,
from being a cutter to eventually owning his own clothing factory. My
parents both grew up in the Bronx. They went to school at NYU, became
teachers, and moved to Long Island where they raised three kids.
As a
young man I ventured into “the City” often, on a school trips,
and with friends and family. I visited my grandparents on the
Concourse in the Bronx and on Riverside Drive on the Upper West Side.
I saw ballets and operas, and symphony and chamber music concerts. I
went to numerous plays and musicals. I visited the world-class
museums, from the Metropolitan to the MOMA, the Fricke, the Whitney
and the American Museum of Natural History. And more. There was
always more.
I went
to law school in New York City, fell in and out of love, went to
almost every courthouse, rode almost every subway. I’ve made
friends, had defining spiritual experiences, and became an adult in
this city. When the Twin Towers fell I felt the gut punch, and lost
friends, like many of us.
On
October 29, 2012, my beloved city was hit by an
unprecedented storm and caused unprecedented death and damage. I was
lucky. I was with friends in Chelsea (7th
Avenue in the 20s). We lost power and water but were safe. We spent
the next days going uptown, to friends' houses and generous
merchants, to charge our cell phone and laptops and tell loved ones
we were okay, and even get work done. But at night as I looked below
23rd Street, all I
saw was darkness and I would later see the destruction wreaked on
Staten Island, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, all part of my
favorite city, and all places where I have friends and family.
As I
wandered looking for places to charge my iPhone, I felt a sensation
that I rarely feel. Powerlessness. I didn’t like it. I still don’t.
And that is why I have created this auction. If we can contribute in
even a small way to the recovery of this great metropolis and its
wonderful people, then we can all feel power again. Thank you.
Eric- This is GREAT! I have an auction of kidlit community (agents, editors, authors) donations running through 11/7 on my blog: jenmalone.blogspot.com. I'd love to send bidders who may have missed out over to your auction! Not sure if you are aware of Kate Messner's KidLit Cares auction as well- I think it runs through 11/15!
ReplyDeleteJennifer - I wasn't aware, but please send anyone to me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSuperFab---go ahead and insert this into your auction donated by Market or Die Author Services:(a $250 value)
ReplyDeleteUpon completion of the author questionnaire the author will receive: a competitive landscape analysis, a customized Facebook ad, guaranteed to increase your number of likes, one detailed promotion, to launch with the release of your book, Two hours of brand advocacy - to promote you and your book and a scheduled blog tour --with as many stops as we can possibly book.