New York City. My daughter's new home, as of this past weekend. Between you and me, it has taken a while to get used to that idea. (What can I say? Letting go is a process...)
I've been to NYC several times, but in the past, the beauty that I saw there was always confined to art museums and theaters. Those early trips involved coming into town for a few days to see a show or attend a conference. I remember cold weather, cab rides, and schedules to keep.
Then, when my daughter, her dad, and I did a college tour there last September, we did some walking near her dream-school campus. I noticed the beauty of nature in the middle of the urban environment, and I was surprised. Two more trips followed, and I found myself starting to look for it.
This past weekend, we moved her into her new dorm. Mart, my daughter, and I spent a lot of time walking in the area, getting used to the routes she will be taking to class, to stores, and to coffee shops (of course). And I saw beauty everywhere.
In addition to the famous and huge Central Park, there are several smaller parks and gardens nearby. One of them (pictured above) even reminded us all of Savannah, one of my favorite places in the world. We were so surprised.
Space is at a premium, and some businesses, restaurants, and residents make great use of the space they have. We saw many sidewalk gardens that brought beauty, color, and life to their concrete background. The work and care that goes into these small-space gardens benefits everyone who notices them.
Sunday Afternoon in the Park With Mart
I have many more photos but I'll stop here. Forgive me if I sound sentimental, but seeing the natural beauty of my daughter's new home makes me happy.
If you're a regular reader of Glimsen, you know that I'll be looking for beauty every time I visit and sharing it here with you.
And, scout's honor to my daughter, I'm going to try hard not to visit too often.
Where have you been surprised by unexpected beauty? I'd love to know. Leave a comment below.
I'm honored that you've taken time out of your day to stop by my blog, Glimsen, where I share glimpses of the beauty around us in nature, the arts, and the unexpected. If you like what you see, sign up to receive my blog posts and updates by email, and you'll receive a free gift of beauty in your inbox. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram. I look forward to connecting with you.
