I began a journey in 2010 not knowing how long it would take or where it might lead.
This is the story of that journey and the triumphs and failures along the way.
Spring of 2009 my life changed dramatically to say the least. My interior design business hit a snag at the crest of 2009, everyone was feeling it. The crash shook every industry, especially luxury services. With very little money coming in and no jobs in sight, I had to give 30 days notice to my landlord in Queens. There was no way I could make enough money to keep up with the cost of New York City life, the bills and take good care of my little dog, Tony, who was only 4 months old at the time.
This was not a good time in life, see in October of 2008 I had met someone very special and I was sad at the thought of leaving New York City so soon after meeting someone that might just be the one I'd been waiting for all my life. Through the tears and way too many hugs, moving day came upon us. The SUV was packed and Tony took one last look at our 77th Street basement dwelling as we hit the road and headed South to regroup and come up with a new plan for life.
Mom was excited to have us home, no matter how long. Birmingham, Alabama was home after all. I realized since moving North in 2006, New York City is a tough place, for young or old. You can either handle it or not, but if you want to handle it you better bring a sack of money or marry rich. It is not the playground for the middle class any longer, I can testify to that. Yes, I believe God can take care of anyone Rich or Poor, but moving to that city with little money in the bank is foolish. I had spent my savings chasing a dream, not those accounts were empty. My family was the only place to turn and they welcomed us home with open arms.
The months rolled by, Tony and I missed our friends new and old and the Big City life. Mom saw I was happy to be home spending quality time with her, but she knew my heart longed for something more. There was a Dream inside of me that was bursting to get out, she saw it. I felt it every day.
A few days into the third month the phone rang one day, "Hello" I heard on the other end. "Hello," I said, "how are you?" This was not just a call to say hello, it was an Open Door. It seems the person I met in the fall of 2008 had also been thinking of me as much as I was thinking about them. They knew there was no way I could possibly think about moving back to NYC without a little help. This is why I called my recently opened theatre company, Open Doors Productions & Theatricals. Some times in life a Door Opens and some times in life we Open Doors for others. Someone was Opening a Door for me. This was my chance to see if the love I felt was real. That special someone missed seeing Tony the Dog and me too. In a few short months, our hearts could no longer take the thoughts of what if, we longed for each other and I made a choice to move back to New York City and see how things would work out. We moved into this person's apartment to give things a try.
Well, I guess you can say it worked out... Tony and I are still here (as of 2015). Things have been Magical (romantically) and then at other times we have a storm filled night lost in the dark woods of despair (professionally). This blog is about my journey with Tony the Dog and I hope you will check back to hear more about our adventures.
Remember, Love is constant. When someone stands at the door and knocks, you have the choice to open the door and let them in.
