A Walk Down 3rd

I left work this evening and had to go to Lower Manhattan. Rather than take the train, I decided to walk from 42nd St to Wall St. As I walked down 3rd Ave, I had an opportunity to see some restaurants and shops I had never noticed before. I realized after only a short distance that 3rd Ave seems to be lined with restaurants-small bistros, cafes,and delis live side-by-side from 42nd St to 4th St. It also appeared that these eating places were bookended on every corner by a pharmacy.

As I walked down one particular block, I noticed a couple walking ahead of me waving. I looked up to see who they were waving at, and saw a family of four sitting at a "booth" on the sidewalk. Two kids, probably under the age of four, were standing on the seat, facing us. Each time a person got close their eyes lit up and they waved wildly. The couple ahead of me was waving back at these adorable kids.

As I approached the table, the kids lit up again and started waving. A middle-aged woman immediately in front of me glanced at them and kept walking. I waved back at them furiously, enjoying for a moment that they wanted to wave at me-even tho they were waving at everyone without prejudice.

As my longer stride took me past the lady who refused to humor the kids, I thought about my friends. I don't know anyone at all who would not have waved at those two really cute kids. In fact, the more I thought about it, I knew that many of my friends would have stopped and talked to the kids or their parents. While that might have embarrassed me, I would much rather have friends who would wave at and talk to some kids than completely ignore them.

I would have walked that block with anyone I know. I'm sorry it had to be with some uptight woman who didn't seem to appreciate the beauty and innocence of a child. And simply raise a hand to greet them.