take a knee. talk to coach.

when i came to new york, i was incredibly fortunate. i've never had any misconceptions about that.

i happened to land in a very special nook. one that received me with warmth. acceptance. generosity. where i was embraced by a motley crew of interesting. eclectic. caring people.

young. old. successful. struggling. all shapes. all sizes.

you know all those new york horror stories? the ones where the people are cold? times are tough? there's a con a minute? it's not for the faint of heart? well i've experienced that stuff. still do. no doubt about it. but i've thankfully had a slew of supporters to help me rebound.

this urban family of sorts. who have exalted my accomplishments. and propped me up when i've been knocked down.

i've often said that i was raised in virginia. grew up in north carolina. and found my home in new york. and it's hard to comprehend a place that could make me feel more at home than the west village - despite my move to the south and east that is the lower east side.

so when i call larry tonight and say, "hey. i'm on the block." i am invited up to what may be my absolute favorite spot in the city.

jack's roof.

lovingly landscaped. views of the city from every angle. and the weather is perfect. mild. breezy. and larry and jack and jp and i share a meal. a meal that beats anything i could find anywhere. partly due to the delectable dish. mostly due to the company.

larry, jp, and i linger. . . over the remnants of dinner. the last swigs of drink. the setting sun.

larry is . . . steadfast. seemingly unflappable. level-headed. thoughtful. and genuine. he's my in-case-of-emergency-contact person. he's also quick-witted. smart. and arguably the most quotable of us. with the catchiest of catchphrases.

jp . . . has the enthusiasm of a child. fascinated by the world. and the people in it. as the former world pun champion. clinton speech writer. author. and cork boat captain. he is not only interesting. he's interested. in you. and you. and you. and you.

each are the kind of people who want to know about your family. and aren't satisfied with dismissive responses. instead, jp and larry actually expect to hear how they're doing. and what they're doing. and they ask you to tell mom & dad that they say hi.

and tonight we - again - sit together. and tell stories. and laugh.

and express gratitude for life's simple pleasures . . . a night like this. in a place like this. with people like this.

and with complete sincerity, jp looks over to me and says that "having you back here . . . it's like all's right in the world."

i can only reply that . . .

"i feel exactly the same way."