While walking along the 42nd street platform waiting for the subway to arrive I noticed a man passing back and fourth in melodic intervals with what seemed to be a look of discernment on his brow. He wore a two-piece pinstriped suit, with an old style hat and had a rose pointed to his jacket. I decided to strike up a conversation and complimented him on his suit. His face immediately lit up and he spoke of his long affinity for dressing well. He commented on the fact that our generation does not put in the effort to dress up. I asked him how long he had lived in New York and he had originally immigrated to new York from Sicily about 45 years ago. When he arrived he spoke no English and was able to take night classes at NYU. His English was immaculate but was thick with a rich Italian agent. We boarded the subway together and I asked him what was a lesson he had learned from his time in New York and he said that if you put your head down and work hard you can do anything, new York is made for people who GO. It was nice to share a moment in our busy week that was only a short two stops on the subway, yet an exchange I will remember for a long time.

-Key Higdon