Chosen Family

I decided on a whim to head to NYC for the weekend. I haven’t been back in a few years and I had the time/space to do it. I love NYC in the August. A lot of people leave the city, the heat has a sensual element to it that I appreciate. I’ve been visiting with old friends, walking around, eating in old haunts and of course, doing yoga.

Last time I lived here, I was in the going-to-weddings and baby- shower phase of life. Now, I’m sitting with people’s grief of sick and dying parents, kids leaving the house and the end of marriages. It felt like a quick turnaround from one phase to the next but really it’s been over 10 years since I lived here last so…it hasn’t been that quick.

We were riding the subway last night and a group of young adults got on, loud, in their own zone and all dressed up to go out. It brought me back to when that was me and my friends. I smiled. It was a fun time in my life. Figuring out who you are, finding/creating your chosen family and dancing until the sunrise. Paul, my friend I’m visiting, has been in my life since I was 17. I turned to him – Remember when that was us? Yup, I sure do, Paul replies.

Yay for lasting friendships, for chosen families and for navigating the beginnings and endings with them.