"Let us feed you."

I am homesick.

Never before have 4 words struck me and comforted me like they did today, so I wanted to take a minute to share the moment with you along with a little background as to why I was so touched.

It’s my second month in NYC. I’ll leave out the gritty details in an effort not to bore you, and I will just summarize life right now as “I have a lot going on.” I miss my family, my dear friends & their families, and I will say that it is hardest when I am having fun here and wishing I could share it with you all in person.

Last weekend was nothing short of amazing and relaxing for me, and the week that followed was not much short of pure hellacious stress (including a very hungover Friday due to an aggressive work function involving wine). I also injured my back in yoga and I hadn’t been as active as usual. Basically, I was arguably more ready for the weekend than anyone in Manhattan.

I was also sick of complaining to myself and wallowing all week. I’m an optimist and a full believer in life’s truth that we all make our own happiness and shouldn’t rely on anyone else to create it for us. I decided that Saturday would be my day and that I would take back my week by doing everything I want today.

For those of you who are getting to know me, my perfect Saturday is a well-rested day that involves a majority of the following, plus anything else fun:

- morning long run and/or yoga class

- breakfast & coffee (preferably on a porch, terrace, or patio)

- trip to the farmers’ market (involving more coffee)

- something girly (shopping, reading a magazine, doing my nails, buying flowers, etc.)

- quality time with friends, family, and/or my significant other

- cooking something (typically from the farmers’ market)

- wine (the most obvious weekend necessity)

I had not yet been to one of NYC’s greenmarkets so I resolved that this would be the day. It was a little rainy, but I headed out to explore at Union Square. I was in a sea of heirloom tomatoes, root vegetables, fresh flowers, local proteins, fresh herbs, and simply in my happy place. I love wandering a farmers’ market to take in the atmosphere and feel the passion that brings the offerings. I am usually excited, overwhelmed, and indecisive as to what to buy, and today was absolutely no exception.

I was drawn to Berried Treasures Farm’s stall for some beautiful cherry tomatoes that were unexpectedly inexpensive. The sign urged us to taste a tomato, which I know now is Franca Tantillo’s passion – this article quotes her as follows, “I just want you to taste one," she implores her customers. "That's my big thing. I want everybody to taste everything. Tasting is believing." 

As I was checking out with my tomatoes, she asked me if my flowers were Dahlias. I explained that they were, and that they were one of my favorites. She mentioned that the local crop hadn’t been great due to the rain this year, and in that single comment I better appreciated my flowers and understood her pure passion for her work. I casually mentioned that I felt deserving of them today to brighten my apartment as I had just moved here, and thanked her for the tomatoes.

As I walked away she called me back over – asking me if I was homesick while she grabbed a bag, she said “let’s get you some beans” and began to stuff haricots, favas, and wax beans into a bag for me. I was in mild shock at her kindness while simultaneously wondering how I could show my appreciation. She handed me the bag – due to emotion I can’t recall her exact words before the last four. She welcomed me to the city, understood my homesickness, and simply said, “Let us feed you.”

One moment. One exchange. One act of kindness to a stranger. This is yet one more example of how NYC can feel like home in such a vast space as Union Square. All the homesickness I'm experiencing and the stress of the week became insignificant to me - this was more than I needed to turn my day around and put things into perspective.

So please drop everything you think you know about NYC and its people. I am forming my own perceptions of New Yorkers on a daily basis as I become one, and I can tell you that countless cab drivers, baristas, and strangers on the subway have proven to break every single stereotype I’ve ever heard.

I look forward to frequenting the greenmarket to visit Franca, and especially to returning her kindness someday with an offering from my home. Be open, be kind, eat local, and never underestimate the impact of simple kindness on a person’s day or life.

Offerings from Berried Treasures