I know that certain of my friends will continue to call me "Earnest John" after this posting, but this last week has made me realize that New York can truly be magical. Real, make-you-smile-and-feel-your-toe-curl magic.
My whole family (8 of 'em) came for Thanksgiving in New York (more on that later). My nieces, age 8 and 6, were here for their first visit. Upon arrival last Sunday, and on sort of a fluke, we went to watch the unveiling of the Christmas windows at Macy's.
After walking through the store bursting with 30,000 poinsettias, we staked a spot in front of the store right as they closed the street. Broadway stars from Mary Poppins sang, Santa made a surprise visit from a balcony on high, and life sized toy soldiers unveiled the sparkling windows. At just that moment, the entire front of the store lit up, and silver confetti cannons blanketed the street with shiny shreds of paper. Christmas carols boomed, a slight snowfall started, people sang along, and the lights on the Empire State Building changed to red and green.
In the middle of it all, I looked down at the eyes of my nieces, and I saw real wonder in their eyes. Their smiles were literally un-containable. Their faces darted around, trying to take it all in, and I could actually feel the joy in the air.
This city, I believe, can really be magical.
