Thoughts: Remembering Gloria Hicks and days gone by...

I keep a calendar. It hangs over my work computer. On it, I chronicle past days that were amazing and those that were personally difficult. Despite advice from my inner circle that oppose my actions, it's my choice. I don't want to forget momentous occasions. Equally, I want to be reminded of failures so as to not repeat them.
According to my calendar, it was six years ago this month that I returned to Wellsville after a several year media career in the Hudson Valley, about an 80 minute train ride north of New York City. The calendar also reminds me that five years ago this past Saturday, a kind soul passed away.
When I moved to a Hudson Valley city to spark a new adventure, I knew not a single person.

As I hauled my life from a U-Haul to my new apartment, I was greeted by Gloria Hicks, a partially grey haired woman with an infectious laugh and comforting smile. Gloria, as I soon discovered, lived across the hall from me. Gloria was a retired nurse from NYC. She lived with her son, Chuck. Chuck, aka Chuckie, was very big, somewhat intimidating and as nice as nice could be.
As a native small town boy, all I ever heard about downstate was the 'awful' people. Gloria welcomed me to the building with a hug. "Hey baby, welcome," she said. I've always been a trusting person. I'd rather find the good than search for the bad. Gloria was, without question, good. She took pity on me, I suspect. As the days, weeks and months passed, Gloria would cook me dinner at least three times a week. I believe she enjoyed doing it as much as I appreciated receiving it. FYI-she could cook! Gloria didn't drive. She either took the bus or a taxi for groceries. That eventually changed. I offered to run her errands.
As for the Hudson Valley, what a wonderful region. Wellsville has its charm, for sure, but so do other regions. My radio career paid very well. Food-name what you what. Shopping? Seven days a week. Culture? Entertainment? Oh yeah. Gloria's kindness? Always.
Wellsville is home. However, I grew personally via my downstate experience. 'Down there,' just as in Wellsville, people woke up, went to work, provided for families and tried to do good. Here, there, and everywhere, there are bad seeds. Wellsville isn't perfect...nor is any other community.
Gloria showed me that New York is a big, but unified state. The division comes, I believe, from the elected officials who choose to pit upstate versus downstate.
It's so handy for upstate to crap on downstate. The reverse is also politically helpful. Politicians aside, the hard workers of the state have more in common than that that divides.
Gloria proved that to me. A city woman just as kind to a stranger as you would find in Wellsville.
The world has become increasingly wild as of late. That's why I'm glad I have my calendar. My calendar that honors Gloria Hicks...a Brooklyn girl who never stopped being kind.