Thanksgiving

Yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving Day, I played at the 34th street subway station. The closest piece of music I could come up to for matching the theme of the Thanksgiving turkey was… the ‘Swan’ by Saint Saens 🙂

Three people said they missed me – they noticed I wasn’t at my usual busking spots. I explained I was away for 3 weeks, visiting my father. It’s great when people notice that I am there, but when they notice I am NOT there – priceless.

Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz busking at 34th street subway

A familiar man approached me. As he reached out to give me a coin I said “I know what this is!”. Indeed, it was an Indian head old nickel. This gentleman was the manufacturer of ‘American Mint’ – a candy box in the shape of a very large coin. Whenever he sees me busking in the subway he gives me an old coin. I used to have a nice little collection of old coins, which I kept inside the candy box he gave me. But it was stolen when my house was broken into.
He since gave me 2 Indian head coins and yesterday he gave me the third. My collection is growing again, thanks to him.
Seeing him made me think of how grateful I am for this phenomenal opportunity that life gave me, to meet so many wonderful people in the subway. People from all walks of life, ages, religions, places of origin. I would never have had the opportunity to meet these people if it were not for busking.
So this Thanksgiving Day I am thankful for all the wonderful people who chance by me when I’m busking in the subway. I don’t know their names, but I recognize many of their faces, and I feel grateful that their faces light up when they see mine.

Natalia ‘Saw Lady’ Paruz busking at 34th street subway