I Am A New Yorker

I am a New Yorker. I do not live in the five boroughs or on the island or Upstate. I may live hundreds or thousands of miles away. Or I may live just over the George Washington Bridge, But I am a New Yorker.

Whatever took me out of New York: Business, family or hating the cold weather, Did not take New York out of me. My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed, But I am a New Yorker.

I was raised on Macys Thanksgiving Day Parades and Rockefeller Plaza, The Yankees or the Mets (Giants or Dodgers,) Jones Beach or Rye Beach or one of the beaches on the sound. I know that "THE END" means Montauk, Because I am a New Yorker.

When I go on a vacation, I never look up. Skyscrapers are something I take for granted. The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me. Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me Because I am a New Yorker.

I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct. I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food because they are All-American food to me.

I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay. They were New Yorkers.

People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me. My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans. My firefighters died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers. They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans. Because they were New Yorkers.

I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers. I mourn the loss of my beautiful city. I feel and dread that New York will never be the same But then I remember: I am a New Yorker.

And New Yorkers have Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm, Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens, love and pride in our City, in our State and in our Country. Intelligence, experience and education par excellence, Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond. Faith--no matter what religion we practice.

Terrorists hit America in its heart, but America's heart still beats strong. Demolished the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls. Hit us in the pocketbook, but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune. Ended innocent lives leaving widows and orphans. But we'll take care of them because they are New Yorkers.

Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation. We will not abandon our city. We will not abandon our brothers and sisters. We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New York represents.

Because we are New Yorkers.

And we are proud to be New Yorkers.

REMEMBER THE WTC.

Copyrighted © May 4, 2002 by Nanna_4

All rights reserved