#storyteller #nytarticle #truestory #heartfelt #community

I came across a short story in the New York Times "Metropolitan Diary" section a while ago about Elizabeth Street Garden, a beloved community space in the Nolita neighborhood of Manhattan, and how, on the day of the story, the author was distracted from reading their book by all the people around them, capturing their imagination and bringing them into a wonderful sense of connection and community.

The story is in this little collection: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/07/nyregion/metropolitan-diary.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

There has been an ongoing battle for Elizabeth Street Garden between the city, who in the past has wanted to use the space for affordable housing, and the neighborhood residents, who love and cherish it for it's beauty and natural setting in the midst of concrete and traffic. So far, the residents are winning, but its fate continues to be up in the air.

At Elizabeth Street Garden, on a sunny day I found a bench where I could read my book Moments later a wedding party came down the gravel way And found the perfect shady little nook

A gentleman to my left was sifting through a script Repeating his lines so faithfully A young woman across the way sang softly into her phone Her curly hair bouncing to the beat

At Elizabeth Street Garden, on a sunny day I found a bench where I could read my book With flowers all around, on that summer day And a flock sparrows hiding in every bush

Friends sat chatting on the lawn, while a butterfly drifted by I turned my face to the sun and felt content We all looked up when the shout of “Mazel Tov!” Signaled the wedding ceremony was at an end

Bridge We erupted in applause and in our hearts, stood side by side As the handsome groom gave a kiss to his lovely bride These are moments out of time, when the world stands still And the universe invites us to open up our eyes

At Elizabeth Street Garden, on that sunny day I finally made the time to take a look At Elizabeth Street Garden, on that wondrous day I didn’t even open up my book