I came to you friendless. Sure, there were many from my old home that promised to be just as close, but I knew that's not how the world works. People have lives, and families, too many things to remember to keep me in their mental process. I knew a few would honor that promise, but I knew most would not, and I was fine with that. A sacrifice made in pursuit of a dream. Throughout the years I've learned that a dream remains a dream unless you work towards it, and turn it into a goal, and that work always demands sacrifice. But upon seeing me with no friends you smiled heartily and said "Here, have these!", and threw our way some of the best friends I've ever had, not just in New York state, but in my whole lifetime. People so warm and so genuine that I was so hesitant to accept that warmth at first, because I didn't know what to do with it.
People like the Westlings who were our neighbors and our very first friends in this state, became an anchor when we felt alone, and missed all that was previously familiar, as our life changed around us. I will always remember stepping outside of my norm that day I saw Chris working on his car, and extending my hand (and little did I know at the time, my friendship) to introduce myself, instead of waiting for my wife to do the introductions. I will also remember our first winter here getting stuck on the ice in the middle of our driveway, and them making themselves late for work and school to attempt to get me out, asking nothing of me in return.
You gave us wonderful people who came to mean so much to us. The Artibees who were to become my number one fans, and turned their home into a gallery displaying my work, the Evangelistas who were responsible for too many dinners and time spent with our families that ended with my ribs sore from laughing the whole time, Trisha who became my wife's best friend here, Michelle who gave me laughter, and deep friendship everday (as well as the rest of the CL Dining group), Amber who was a cop who instead of arresting the only brown guy in Harford, came to befriend my family, and to everyone else that touched our hearts and lives (they know who they are) they will be loved and remembered always.
To the man who trusts no one with his children, you gave me Deana, the best daycare provider any parent could ever hope for. It wasn't just a job to her, she loved my children as her very own, and I could tell every single day that this was true. I will never forget the love she showed my children, and how she opened up and shared her family, as well as offering a deep and lasting friendship with my wife.
I came to you with a history of jobs I hated doing, and a dream followed to break that cycle. You gave me security and happiness in all aspects of my work life. You gave me my dream. You gave me a job where I spent 12 hours a day seven days a week at times working the hardest I've ever worked, being the dirtiest I've ever been, learning the most I've ever learned, and pushing my body way past its limits, working under a fat bastard of a man, who rather nap and eat while he watched me slave for him, rather than do any work himself, while he stripped me of even my name, and stuck me with my nickname of 'Clay', and belittled me with racist comments daily if not hourly: And I LOVED every single minute of it.
Not only did you give me my dream, you gave me my stability. Coming from hating most office job I've ever had, you gave me one that I will always cherish and smile to think of. You have me Cornell, with it's solid (if not tiny) pay, and health insurance for my family, and threw in a wonderful team to boot. For the first time in any office, I was truly happy, and enjoyed going into work every single day.
I came to you with no family. For the sake of not offending, I meant no family HERE, in this state. We had no one to run to, no one to love us unconditionally, and support us through thick and thin, with wise words and strong tone when the need arose, while we lived under your roof. You gave us The Kilcoynes. I had no idea the first day meeting Jess, then Don that we would become more than just boss and employee....we would become family. When we had nowhere special to go home to, they gave us a warm fire, all the wine we could all drink, a warm meal , and good conversation, and above all, love. My daughter sees theirs as her sisters. So much time running carefree, as I always dreamed my children would be able to do, through the vineyard and property while Don and I slaved at making wine. I've never had siblings, as an only child, but Don and Jess I consider you the closest thing to that I've ever had.
For all that you've given us, while under your roof, it is with a heavy heart that we bid you farewell, and take our leave. Everything you've given us have left their mark on our souls, and further confirmed the fact that though we grew up in California our whole lives, it is while we were under your roof that we actually felt we were "Home". Contradictory to what a lot of people said, the grass WAS greener on the other side, for us.
So, farewell New York State. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for all the kindness, love, support, frienship, and time you've given us. We will never forget your lessons, and though we never know where life will take us, know that New York will always be in our hearts, and will be what we think of when we think of Home.
