City Residents Look on the Bright Side After a Tough 2017

From The New York Post

The new film “The Greatest Showman,” based on the life of P.T. Barnum, is the story of a man driven by the joy of doing what many disparaged or thought impossible.

As we turn the page on 2017, a year in which terrorism, natural disasters, mass shootings and sex scandals dominated headlines and many people felt understandably tempted to fall under the shroud of pessimism, this film can perhaps remind us that reasons for optimism abound. Like many New Yorkers, Barnum came to our city to make his fortune, and he did — but he also sustained much failure along the way.

For many city dwellers interviewed in recent days about the year that’s past, it seemed that the city itself was their silver lining in 2017.

Some called the generosity of New York’s Finest, including in their response to natural disasters elsewhere, a highlight. This year, the city sent 200 first responders to assist in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma in Florida and the Bahamas, Maria in Puerto Rico and Harvey in Texas as part of a task force that includes the NYPD and FDNY. They saved lives, then assisted thousands to shelter, according to a spokesperson for New York City Emergency Management.

Many spoke of personal joys.

“My dad is retired FDNY and I ran the New York City marathon to honor him,” said Nicole Gubelli, 23, who works in procurement for New York City transit.

“Got a nephew this year — my first,” said Dylan Chiarelli, 23, who works in financial services and hails from Long Island’s South Shore.

“I met my love and we got a baby,” said Vanessa Espada, 29, of Middle Village, Queens, who works in hospitality.

“Most important, my kids are doing well,” said Don Bates, 78, an adjunct professor of business writing at New York University. “Also, I won $440 in the Take 5 lottery.”

Several New Yorkers spoke about improved city amenities, such as return of the Rockaway ferry from Manhattan’s South Street to Rockaway Beach. “It’s a good, cheap date,” said Kiki Flynn, a wellness and lifestyle coach from East Harlem.

Others hailed the long-awaited arrival of the Second Avenue Subway in 2017.

“We got it,” said Steve Buchman, 63, of Gramercy, a businessman. “We’ve only been waiting for 100 years.”

Interestingly, some whose challenges and hardships sounded most overwhelming seemed most forward-looking.

“I lost my daughter this year,” said Charlie Alvarez, 55, a retired seaman and front worker for Shake Shack in Madison Square Park. “It’s terrible. But I’m spiritual [and] moving forward.

He added, “We live in quite a great city, and the year has been pretty good economically.”

“I came here because of Hurricane Maria,” said Cesar, 32, a porter, of Borough Park. “My family still doesn’t have electricity, but . . . sending them money has been [a] positive that came from the negative.”

“I survived cancer,” said Herb Stern, 70, a retired teacher, of Murray Hill. “I’ll be fine. He added, “New York City is a good, strong, diverse place. I’ve lived here for 50 years. New Yorkers can bounce back from any adversity.”

Many New Yorkers talked about their pride and fulfillment in coming here to pursue their dreams in 2017, despite obstacles.

“I want to help people find the beauty in who they are,” said Lauren Topping, 25, of Harlem, a freelance makeup artist. “I was living in Atlanta working at a sports bar. Now I’m meeting people in the industry who are helping me start as an assistant makeup artist.

“Moving here is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

New Yorkers appear ready to put the trying events of 2017 behind them — and look toward 2018, knowing that we have a lot to be grateful for. After all, our city continues.

New York is a city that sparkles and shines like a beacon of light and hope to people everywhere, for whom it represents freedom, opportunity, and human potential.

After all, Barnum discovered this was the place to begin to create the “Greatest Show on Earth.”

That’s because New Yorkers are optimists. And that optimism brings dreamers and doers here year in and year out. So we welcome 2018 with the certainty that our best days lie ahead.

This entry was written by Heather Robinson and posted on January 3, 2018 at 5:33 pm and filed under Features. permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Keywords: . Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. */?>