Holidays' Spirit: Remembering Children

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Holidays' Spirit: Remembering Children

Top Left: A Bite of Holiday Laser Light Show at Grand Central Terminal

Top Right and Center: Bryant Park, December at Night

The biggest bow ever. Watch your step as you go out side. The smallest box ever hiding among the needles of the pine. Lot's of "ooo-ing" and "ahh-ing" and "awh-ing" and "WOW!" NO PEEKING. "I'm not peeking!" HoHoHo. HaHaHa, HeHeHe. "Far out!" "Oh my God... Gag gift!" PSYCH. The real gift is back logged. "Do you know how hard it is to get a Nook in time for the Holidays? Who would've guessed it would've been so popular? The sweet smells of the kitchen waltz with the fragrances of the cinnamon candles burning softly in the living room. There is a frantic rush as the first guests come in. Bags aren't as ladened as Holidays past, we all know too well the reason why. So what gives, why bother?

It doesn't matter when or why a Holiday started; remembrance of a person, an event or other. And while some find fault in all the commercialization and profiteering, registers ringing, credit cards swiping, heads spinning, remember we all can control our exposure. So, let us not forget the why behind it all, the Holidays' SPIRIT. Families and Love.

When I think of Holidays I think of children. Children still filled with the light of hope in tomorrows, filled with eagerness, willingness and great anticipation. Curious. Engaging. Innocent. We all remember getting untold numbers of hats, and scarves and gloves, and sweaters from the circus from well meaning relatives, instead of the Matchbox or Electronic train sets, the Barbie Dream House or Easy Bake Ovens, but give thanks that we are here in the today, in the know, in the now, with our loved ones, many do not have that fortune and what a fortune it is!

Everyday untold number of children are reported missing. Some make it back. Many never do. But their families never give up hope and would give everything they own for their child's safe return.

Wishing everyone a safe and
happy holiday season!

For more information on how you can help, tips for educating yourself and children go to:

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

HAVE YOU SEEN THEM?

New York Missing Children

Left to Right:

Marc (Mark) A Brookal- Missing Dec. 14, 2009
Maria Lidia Torres-Missing Oct. 27, 2009
Escarleht Waleska Torres-Missing July 8, 2009
(She may be with her infant daughter)

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Why, NYC BITES

New York City Bites in so many ways and is so rightly renowned as The Big Apple. Shining all around like a big, sweet, red delicious apple. "Cu-ruunch!" Take a bite and have another. It is sweet, tangy, sour, bitter, fragrant, juicy, "Ohh so juicy," crisp, refreshing, invigorating-ALIVE! And, because such is life, such is reality, ying-yang, you gotta be on the lookout for the occasional worm who wants to take a bite of the big delicious before you do.

The population estimate for NYC in 2008 was 19,490* or 6.4% of the US population. When you throw into this amazing mix of people the travelers who visit for business or pleasure from the US and abroad, the commuters who come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester and Upstate to etch out their livings, and the other transients who come in hot pursuit of making it big (however defined), you now have over 20 million souls taking a bite of The Big Apple on any given day.

Think about it, over 20 million people coming to and passing through the city by rail, by air, by road, by sea 365 days of the year from the four corners of the world. Of course it is going to be noisy, it is going to be crowded and NYC will not sparkle with a Mr. Clean-Fabuloso-Windex-Pledge shine 24/7. But, when you put things in perspective, given its size (land area of 47,213.79 square miles with 401.9 persons per square mile)* and this amazing flow, while we all know things can be better (not just in NYC but everywhere) you have to admit NYC Rocks!!

NYC can and does dish among the best dishes literally and figuratively. The Big Apple hosts among the best live performances, shows and exhibits. It is home to the best restaurants, clubs, museums, concerts, universities, research facilities, hospitals and other organizations. The Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Display, Thanksgiving Day Parade, Radio City's Rockets, ING Marathon and New York's Rockin' New Year's Celebrations draw record numbers.

Many movies and programs are filmed here. Many stories, poems, plays and songs have been written about the city, those who come here following their dreams and those who call it HOME. "Home sweet home!" "Hogar dulce hogar!"

In addition to sharing my musings of NYC, NYC Bites will offer a bite of this and bite of that- NYC News Bites and Video Bites and various links capturing a broad spectrum of interests and tastes diversity rich as the city.

Restaurant links are all of places I have been to and recommend based on price (you can get a good meal for around $20 or less per person), atmosphere (you can have a conversation without busting a vein from shouting) and good service (you will not be rushed out the door). For more places to eat check out Zagat http://www.zagat.com. I am a foodie. I love to dine out with family and friends, savor every moment and every bite, but sometimes we are in too much of a rush when the hunger pangs pound (check out "Nooks & Crannies" for places to get good quick bites and get lots of bang for your buck). "Buen provecho!" "Bon apetite!" "Enjoy!"

Chill. Live. Be.

-Maureen Baraka Bonfante

(*)
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/36000.html

NYC Bites

Thursday, December 24, 2009