Break the Illusion Blog by Davey Wavey

It’s a clear, cold and beautiful Monday morning in New York. It’s a holiday, so the roads are quiet. The houses are dark. The city that doesn’t sleep is sleeping.

Long sharp shadows jag their way up, down and across hundred year old brick apartment buildings. The sunshine drips like melted butter.

There is no place like Manhattan.

When I arrived here on Saturday morning, I could feel the energy of the city as we emerged from the Holland Tunnel. Maybe it was just my overactive excitement. But, I could feel the pulse of the city. You can’t help but ride that energy. You can’t help but be a part of that energy.

Yesterday morning, I spent some time rediscovering the places that I used to frequent when I lived in the city. Some things are the same, and some things are different. Some shops have closed. Others have opened. There are more people, more dogs in sweaters and more Starbucks.

While I was walking down the quiet, southern end of fifth avenue, the late morning church bells of some distant cathedral rang. I was just passing the arch near the NYU campus. The wind blew and the birds flew. The moment was beautiful.

But for me, it will always be the shadows. The way the shadows fall and creep and explore the many textures and shapes of the city. When I surrender to the beauty, I can’t breath.

Looking out the window of my former bedroom in my old apartment, I remember the days when I called this city home. I remember the person I was, and I remember the person I am now. Remembering makes my heart heavy. I realize in this moment that this is all part of my journey. And that it is the journey that matters, not the destination.