Even dirt means something if it comes from home
When the Revolutionary War was over, George Washington vowed never to set foot again on British soil.
But by 1924, we were allies and a statue was given by us to the UK. To honor George’s request, the City of London put Virginia soil down where the statue stands so that he kept his promise.
Similarly, when Lafayette died in 1834, he was buried in Paris, but under US soil.
And here in New York City, one of the two main highways that encircle the island is built on debris from Bristol, England after the Nazi’s bombed that place.
There’s something about taking a bit of the landscape of some other land that was part of home. Even if it’s only dirt or rubble.
As I said in my last post, I said goodbye to an old friend. It’s a joke. Kinda.
See, I gave my plant Harold to my buddy Brandon that owns Evolution Muay Thai here in the city.
Harold came from a cutting of a plant that my mom brought decades ago from Taiwan to here. I took a cutting of that plant to my first apartment in NYC just off of Times Square.
Everywhere I moved, he came with me. And with every move, he got a little bigger.
But he just got too big for my small apartment. Brandon, who practically has his own nursery of plants, agreed to take him.
So in 9 degree weather, I bundled Harold up for the last time and brought him downtown.
Brandon: Man, the pictures didn’t do him justice.
Me: He’s a big boy.
He’s just a plant, I understand. But he’s a bit of my hometown and my parents’ hometown. I found myself more sentimental than I might’ve imagined I’d be as I took him on his last subway ride.
A short time later, I asked another buddy that works there,
Me: How’s Harold doing?
Cary: What is up with you and Harold!?
Me: He was my roommate for over 20 years.
Like I said, there’s something about having a piece of the place you call home.
But then again, we just need a little piece.
And so I took something from Harold before I sent him out into the world.
As a bit of comic relief, here’s the owner showing how to defend the jab – pay special attention to the quip he gives at 1:07, which is simultaneously brilliant, rude, and hilarious.
Location: in front of Harold Jr. (Jr.)
Mood: cold
Music: The earth that is the space between
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