Thursday, April 22, 2010

Upper East Side Dinner

So there I was. In a trendy, upper east side, italian restaurant. Candle light. Nice glass of wine. Fabulous dinner. With a man. Sounds like I've finally had a dream date, right?

Not so. The night was a Tuesday, it was so dark I couldn't read the menu, and the man was an 87 year old neighbor of my friends. Their friend. My friend too. I had the pleasure of escorting Bernie to his college writing class. Yep, you read correctly, his college writing class.

What an inspiration he is to me. At 87, this is his first college class. He moved into the city from Long Island after his wife of 60 years passed away. Living alone for the first time in a long time. Struggling at first, but becoming stronger. Stepping out and experiencing new things. How I wish my own father would have had the courage to do the same.

And how I hope to remember his courage as I continue to step beyond my comfort zone and reach for things I never reached for before. Things I never thought I deserved. I mean, if an 87 year old can write his first short story and read it in front of his class, what should I be afraid of?

Thank you for a wonderful evening, Bernard!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

That's so great! That will never leave my mind, especially when I get discouraged!!