For the past year or two I’ve been pretty cranky with this city I’ve loved for so long, often joking that New York and I could use some couples therapy.  And now that we’re on the six month homestretch to finally breaking up but remaining really good friends who reminisce about the good old days, I’m worse than ever with my lack of tolerance for all the city’s flaws. Poor New York can’t do anything right these days!  Recently while trying to get somewhere and having one subway problem after another I said to my little family, “I think New York’s officially broken.  I think that’s what’s happened.”  And Huck looked up at me and said, “New York’s not broken, Mommy.  You are.”  Ouch!  But true.  I’m a little broken and need more fresh air and less people around me all the time.

And though Huck’s insulting wisdom makes him sound above it all, he’s also going through a little something.  Still at that tender age when his mother’s opinions sound fact-like, he’s been known to grumble about NYC too.  The other day I told him I was ready to move to Fayetteville tomorrow and he said, “I’m not.  I’m ready today.”  I asked him why, seeing as how not so long ago he was none too pleased with all this talk of relocation, and his answer was basically a bunch of repeated phrases he’s heard from me about being sick and tired of it all.  I made a quick mental note to keep my darn thoughts to myself from now on.

So in an effort to be a better person with a brighter attitude during these long, never-ending January days, I’ve started a new tradition at the dinner table where we each name something great in our day that is specific to our lives right now in New York.  Troy and I give answers like, “I got to spend time with such and such friend,” or “the sunshine was so beautiful today,” but Huck always has the same old answer.  ”Muscota,” he states.  Because no matter what influence his crabapple mom may have on him, nothing will change the fact that his school is precious and unique and will be missed.

But still.  172 more days!

Here are pictures from back when New York and I were still in love and very committed to each other …

Central Park, New Year’s Eve, 1989

Times Square, February 1992

Times Square, Fall 1998

Rockefeller Center, New Year’s Eve 1999

Times Square, Spring 2005