one flake / snowstorm

"Pop, pop, pop, Bang. Pop, pop, pop, Bang. That's what you do, that's what you do when they slap you. Pop, pop, pop, bang. Hit 'em in the ribs. Learn how to do that and your make your mama a lot of money. lot of money. a boxer, a boxer. pop. pop. pop."

He laid along three seats with a small shopping cart in front of him. Gestured as he spoke to the 7 year old boy across the subway car avoiding eye contact. I avoided eye contact, too, concentrating on the "Best Smile in Town" add for orthodontics lining the wall of the train car. I was glad I wasn't alone. In our hands we held bags from Toys R Us with gifts for kids living in the shelters of the agency for which I work. I decided I much preferred the cuteness of homeless children to homeless men. But I wondered who needed more help, while also realizing who was most likely to accept it.

Toys R Us had not been in vain. Following a whirlwind weekend: working, again with kids gifts, late all week long, then prepping for the party ala emails ... and yes finally partying, (thoroughly enjoyed hosting all those who came out to our place!) a few of us found ourselves in the late night toy-store crowd. Immediately upon entering the store, one of us got in line while the rest shopped. Unfortunately, we were all so tired from the week and weekend's events, we weren't much for shopping. We were disturbed by the hokey pokey elmo and stuck with the toy staples of legos and play dough. Checking out, we walked out to snow on Union Square -- first time I'd seen snow live in New York City. It was freezing cold out, too - funny how that works. I had inadvertently left my umbrella at the restaurant, and as we headed back, Emily broke out in song. We all joined her, and were greeted with some odd looks as we waited for the light to change. We didn't seem to care much about our newly bought toys, or the cold weather, or the lack of umbrellas. What seemed to matter most was that we weren't alone. In taking part in giving out the gifts to the families, I've seen what seems to matter most to them - and the parents don't seem to be as moved by a box of legos for their kid or a doll here or there, but by the fact that someone else cares. That they're not alone, that they're heard, that they're human.

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow ...


Today's Song: One Great City, The Weakerthans