The City I live in.

Today was one of those "walk around the French Quarter and soak everything in" kind of days. I love to do this once in a while, just because I can and because I love living somewhere that is walkable, entertaining, and pleasing to the senses. I have a ritual when I go. I go alone. I always go to the CC's on Royal St- my barista by the name of Smokey overly likes his job and will convince anyone that coffee is the absolute best thing in the universe. I get my hot tea and sip it while strolling through the crowded streets. I love hearing the different sounds all around me, the smells of the spices filling the air, and the characters all around me. My favorite- the silver spray painted statues. New Orleans is a special place. It is a place full of life. As I was walking along the river I noticed a young man laying on some steps that lead to the Mississippi river. He was surrounded by a group of rescue workers. Apparently this guy had had some type of medical emergency. He was young, probably around my age, and his dog was his only companion. I stood and watched as the young man convulsed up and down on the steps. I am not sure what happened but it didn't look good. They loaded him up on a stretcher and began to wheel him off to an ambulance. The police were gathering information on a note pad, asking a homeless guy who was witnessing this sight if he knew him and who was going to take care of this guys dog? After watching this unfold before my eyes I was deeply moved, awakened, and realized something. I live in a city. Cities have life. Cities have jobs. Cities have poverty. Cities have crime. Cities have people who are happy. Cities have people who are hurting. I live in a city and I want to be here for the city- as well as live in it. I am discovering how this can practically work in my daily life. I must not surround myself with people that fit in my genre. I must not isolate myself from relationships that need to be built. I see a brighter picture being painted here, one where the poor and the business men alike are hanging out. New Orleans. This is the city I live in.