I'M A CITY GIRL...SOMETIMES

I grew up in New York City and, while I have complaints about the noise and lack of privacy - like city life.

I didn't always think I would live in a city. After all, we spent lots if weekends in Northern Westchester County, New York. Some called it a suburb of New York. We called it the "country" There were trees and grassy lawns and a lake. There were deer, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, skunks, geese, blue birds and cardinals. I always loved the "wildlife". And, still do. Although, we have added coyotes and red fox to the list. What's next - lions, tigers and bears? On my.

I love the quiet of the "country". We have neighbors, but rarely see them. Frequently, we are the only ones at the lake, making it seem like a private estate. My kids loved going down to the lake area and swimming, building sand castles and moats and climbing on the play equipment or enjoying the movement of the swings. Sometimes we would take a picnic lunch, so as not to have to walk all the way back to the house (about a city block).

Yes, I love the days – but the nights are different. It is so quiet and dark. You can’t see a thing out the windows unless there is a full moon. The shadows freak me out. And while the squirrels may be asleep for the night, the raccoons are up and marching on the roof or jumping down onto the deck. All I can imagine is zombies and aliens on the prowl. (Thanks Bex for watching all those shows and telling me about them. NOT).

I am always glad to see the sun come up and watch a new day begin. I typically sit on the back deck, sipping a cup of coffee and waiting for the deer to wander by. I also do a lot of writing in the “country”.

And just about when I have memorized the new TV channel lineup - after a weekend or a week away - I long for the city. I miss my home, my bed, knowing where everything is, my friends and the excitement of the big city, minus the sirens and traffic. Driving back to NYC, I feel content and assume that take charge city persona.

It doesn’t take but an hour or two for me to yearn for the “country” quiet and serenity. For the deer and raccoons, the lake, farm stand produce and barbeques.

City or country girl? Guess I am both J

Kathy Ann Brodsky, LCSW is New York and New Jersey licensed social worker, adoptive mom and advocate for ethical adoption practice. She has prepared thousands of adoption homestudies, counseled adoptive parents and parents-to-be, and has trained professionals to work with adoptive families. She was Director of the Ametz Adoption Program from March 1992 to March 2015. She is Head Writer for Adoption.net, on the Adoption Advisory Board of Path2Parenthood and has a private practice in New York City. She was named an “Angel in Adoption” by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption in 2001, Follow or reach her at ADOPTION MAVEN BLOG or EMAIL.