My List

Things I couldn't help but notice from the table by the window of the Bryant Park Grill...




1. Grown ups like to throw snowballs, too.



2. A snow man. On a bench. Smoking a cigarette.



3. Real men wear stocking caps with ear flaps and pink hearts.



4. The couple next to me planning their wedding.



5. The couple behind me celebrating their 60th.



6. Two beautiful children decided to take it upon themselves to clear the snow off all of the tables and chairs. And relieve Mr. Snowman (see #2) of his detrimental habit.



I was so enamored at being in NYC that all of these things were new, and fresh, and amazing. But, I had been there for about thirteen minutes and I missed home. How is that possible? Because, independent streak aside, sitting alone at a table in the most beautiful city in the world makes you feel very, very small. I needed books.



So, I got up, walked to the NYC Public Library, and found Betsy Bird, librarian extraordinaire. She rocks. She showed me Pooh Bear. No, I mean the original Winnie the Pooh and his friends, the ones the stories are written about. They live in a glass box something akin the the Declaration of Independence. She showed me the original shelving system from 1911, and invited me out for drinks later with a bunch of her friends from the writing community. Oh, and Lemony Snicket might be there.




!



Well, turns out he was a no show. But I didn't leave without a good story. No sir. As Betsy introduced me to a bunch of people whose names I would never remember, I mingled as best I could. I was having a blast. Agents, editors, writers, I was with my people. We are a funny bunch.



As the circle of people I was standing with ebbed and flowed, I found myself talking with two gentlemen whose names I neglected to get the chance to forget.



"I'm Tracy, and I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," I said as I extended my hand to guy #1.



"John Scieszka."

!



I shake his hand and turn to guy #2: "Paul Zelinsky".



!



Had I known their names 20 minutes earlier, I would have blabbered and sputtered and acted like an idiot. Instead, I was reminded that these people who have helped to form and shape my career goals, my dreams, my Life To Do list are just like me. Well, you know what I mean.

I love my life.




I grinned the whole way home.