I grew up in China and now live in the US. I once believed that I could only call one place home, either here or there. I thought it was a choice I needed to make. But eveytime I go back to China, everything I experience there tells me that it'd forever be my home. No matter how long I'm away, no matter how settled I feel in California, my childhood home will always be there for me.
We don't need to make a decision. We can call more than one place home.
Brooklyn will always be your home—this coming from a NYer from Queens who has lived in Brooklyn more than half her life and raised kids here. Grass is always greener, Marc, and while their childhoods were amazing, it wasn't always easy. At the very least you won't have to deal with the school nonsense. Also, fun fact, but my husband and I had a business and sold at Smorgasburg from when it opened until Covid shut us down. Perhaps we crossed paths. Brooklyn can be a small world like that. Much love from Brooklyn!
Trust and believe we are dealing with some school nonsense here, too. I went so many times and probably visited every vendor there - I'm sure we crossed path for sure! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments, Jenna. A pleasure getting to know you this way.
Wow, I am sobbing this morning. Wish you could see the tears staining my face from your words! You have a beautiful heart and incredible love for your child, wife & Brooklyn. Thank you for sharing it with us 🫶🏼
Grief is tied to loss of any kind. Grief is love that has nowhere to go.
I lived in New York during the 90s, both in Manhattan and Queens. I lived in Jackson Heights, in India and Pakistan, but to the right was Korea and to the left was Colombia. I loved all the different foods you could find in such a short walk. I also walked with a purpose, as I had placestogopeopletoseethingstodo, just like that. It took me a long time to ease up and enjoy the slower pace of living amongst the trees, breathing the fresh air, listening to the sounds of birds rather than cars. I miss NY, but I am so grateful to live where I do now.
It was actually Jamie Anderson, the author of Dr Who. I just looked it up.
I currently live in Central Massachusetts. I spent my 20s in NY which was perfect for me at the time, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else back then. I will eventually make my way to Vermont once my youngest goes off to college, but I grew up in MA and it has been my home again since 1999.
I’ve moved around a lot in my life from Saint Lucia to Brooklyn. To Connecticut. New Jersey. New York. Saint Lucia is still home but Brooklyn also manages to burrow its way into my heart. It’s just that kind of place. You never know where life will take you or your family! I wouldn’t put it past Myles to settle in Brooklyn in his twenties. Life is cyclical that way
When we left nyc when I was 11 I never got over it until I moved back and moved to Brooklyn as an adult. I left (after meeting and marrying my husband in our Brooklyn backyard) but there’s something about nyc being your home that always remains true. It’s still your home too, I’m sure Myles will find his way there too.
OMG...I'm so glad you wrote about Brooklyn!!! 😁😁My mother was born at Cumberland Hospital(no longer around)and raised on what used to be Warwick Street from 1960- 1978. Though I was born in Queens we lived in Brooklyn a few times( Clarkson Ave, Schaeffer Street, Ocean Towers in Coney Island). When I picked up my mother's ashes 😔 somehow I got lost on the train. I wound up on the train that went through all her old neighborhoods and hangouts. It was no coincidence because I knew Brooklyn was where she became who she was gonna be and I was glad to take that ride with her. Though I'm Queens all day, Brooklyn is the reason I'm writing my personal essay collection ' What Goes On In This House ' ❤️
Oh my 😭❤️ this was incredible. So glad i found your letters, this is a truly beautiful piece. Your son is so lucky, i have no doubt he will love New York as much as you do, place like this seeps into your bones— and that will no doubt be passed on. New York Forever 🍎❤️
Oh man bro, thanks for writing this! Marilyn and I didn't even move that far. We went from Harlem New York to Newark New Jersey, and everyday I get pangs from missing just being able to be in the city that raised me. We both do. I don't know what I would do if I was further than a path train ride away. Thanks for manifesting the best parts of the best borough.
Your description was so vivid I felt like I was there, Marc! (My dad’s from Brooklyn and I love seeing that bridge — gorgeous photos of you two.) I’ve been gone from my hometown of Chicago longer than I ever lived there, but it will always be Home. I miss Bacino’s stuffed pizza and greasy breakfast at Nookie’s and hanging around the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot late Saturday night after Medusa’s closed, because “juice bars” (under-21 dance clubs) didn’t stay open as late as our curfew.
I grew up in China and now live in the US. I once believed that I could only call one place home, either here or there. I thought it was a choice I needed to make. But eveytime I go back to China, everything I experience there tells me that it'd forever be my home. No matter how long I'm away, no matter how settled I feel in California, my childhood home will always be there for me.
We don't need to make a decision. We can call more than one place home.
I love this- home can be many places ❤️
Brooklyn will always be your home—this coming from a NYer from Queens who has lived in Brooklyn more than half her life and raised kids here. Grass is always greener, Marc, and while their childhoods were amazing, it wasn't always easy. At the very least you won't have to deal with the school nonsense. Also, fun fact, but my husband and I had a business and sold at Smorgasburg from when it opened until Covid shut us down. Perhaps we crossed paths. Brooklyn can be a small world like that. Much love from Brooklyn!
Trust and believe we are dealing with some school nonsense here, too. I went so many times and probably visited every vendor there - I'm sure we crossed path for sure! I really appreciate your thoughtful comments, Jenna. A pleasure getting to know you this way.
Same here, Marc. 🫶
Oh this one just cut right through me — what a beautiful ode.
Holding onto this — “Because nothing makes me miss home like a friend calling at 8 AM—crossing time zones.”
Wow, I am sobbing this morning. Wish you could see the tears staining my face from your words! You have a beautiful heart and incredible love for your child, wife & Brooklyn. Thank you for sharing it with us 🫶🏼
This comment made my day - I appreciate you, Hannah, for being here.
Of course. Thank YOU!
Grief is tied to loss of any kind. Grief is love that has nowhere to go.
I lived in New York during the 90s, both in Manhattan and Queens. I lived in Jackson Heights, in India and Pakistan, but to the right was Korea and to the left was Colombia. I loved all the different foods you could find in such a short walk. I also walked with a purpose, as I had placestogopeopletoseethingstodo, just like that. It took me a long time to ease up and enjoy the slower pace of living amongst the trees, breathing the fresh air, listening to the sounds of birds rather than cars. I miss NY, but I am so grateful to live where I do now.
May Myles find home wherever you and his mom are.
I can’t remember where I’ve read that line- but it’s beautiful. Love hearing all the places you’ve been- where is home for you now?
It was actually Jamie Anderson, the author of Dr Who. I just looked it up.
I currently live in Central Massachusetts. I spent my 20s in NY which was perfect for me at the time, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else back then. I will eventually make my way to Vermont once my youngest goes off to college, but I grew up in MA and it has been my home again since 1999.
I’ve moved around a lot in my life from Saint Lucia to Brooklyn. To Connecticut. New Jersey. New York. Saint Lucia is still home but Brooklyn also manages to burrow its way into my heart. It’s just that kind of place. You never know where life will take you or your family! I wouldn’t put it past Myles to settle in Brooklyn in his twenties. Life is cyclical that way
Your words to God's ears, my friend. Hoping we all develop solid roots for our children in the future.
No sleep til Brooklyn.
Beautiful article. You have a gift in writing! Having spent over a decade in New York, mostly in the busy, crowded Manhattan though.
Xinran, nothing like the busy street in Manhattan. When I lived in NJ, I had to pass through Port Authority everyday. That business was my life.
I can already picture your routine. Lived in NJ briefly and had to commute to Port Authority too.
When we left nyc when I was 11 I never got over it until I moved back and moved to Brooklyn as an adult. I left (after meeting and marrying my husband in our Brooklyn backyard) but there’s something about nyc being your home that always remains true. It’s still your home too, I’m sure Myles will find his way there too.
A backyard Brooklyn love story?! Where can I read about this! ❤️
OMG...I'm so glad you wrote about Brooklyn!!! 😁😁My mother was born at Cumberland Hospital(no longer around)and raised on what used to be Warwick Street from 1960- 1978. Though I was born in Queens we lived in Brooklyn a few times( Clarkson Ave, Schaeffer Street, Ocean Towers in Coney Island). When I picked up my mother's ashes 😔 somehow I got lost on the train. I wound up on the train that went through all her old neighborhoods and hangouts. It was no coincidence because I knew Brooklyn was where she became who she was gonna be and I was glad to take that ride with her. Though I'm Queens all day, Brooklyn is the reason I'm writing my personal essay collection ' What Goes On In This House ' ❤️
No coincidence indeed. Appreciate you for sharing, family.
Beautifully written about the place I now also get to call home, after living in North Carolina for all of my life. There’s no place like Brooklyn. ❤️
Live it up for me and my family, Alexandria!
Living in Brooklyn will always hold a little place in my heart. This piece was a beautiful love letter!
Same here, family.
Truly BEAUTIFUL pictures to go along with a hugely sentimental story. Thank you—this is all heart.
Thank you so much, Kert.
Oh my 😭❤️ this was incredible. So glad i found your letters, this is a truly beautiful piece. Your son is so lucky, i have no doubt he will love New York as much as you do, place like this seeps into your bones— and that will no doubt be passed on. New York Forever 🍎❤️
Thank you so much Grace for joining me on this journey, Grace ❤️ It's been a beautiful ride so far.
Oh man bro, thanks for writing this! Marilyn and I didn't even move that far. We went from Harlem New York to Newark New Jersey, and everyday I get pangs from missing just being able to be in the city that raised me. We both do. I don't know what I would do if I was further than a path train ride away. Thanks for manifesting the best parts of the best borough.
When I lived in NJ, and had to travel back and forth, I realized NJ was just a place for the New Yorkers who got priced out.
Your description was so vivid I felt like I was there, Marc! (My dad’s from Brooklyn and I love seeing that bridge — gorgeous photos of you two.) I’ve been gone from my hometown of Chicago longer than I ever lived there, but it will always be Home. I miss Bacino’s stuffed pizza and greasy breakfast at Nookie’s and hanging around the Dunkin’ Donuts parking lot late Saturday night after Medusa’s closed, because “juice bars” (under-21 dance clubs) didn’t stay open as late as our curfew.
Stuffed pizza sounds like my kind of vibe. I am hoping to visit Chicago for the first time! I'll take note of this - no juice bars though haha.