Thank god for New Yorkers.

In December 2018 I was laid off from my job for the first time. My ego and self-esteem were bruised beyond comprehension. I was gutted.

To add insult to injury (or rather a physical injury to a mental one), a foot problem crept up on me and required an expensive doctor’s office visit only days later.

While feeling very sorry for myself and my circumstances in the elevator en route to my Park Avenue appointment, an especially chipper older woman entered the elevator and greeted the doorman and everyone else aboard like we were all old friends.

The moment she glanced my way and smiled, I broke down in tears. She looked at me and said “whatever it is... I promise, you will be okay. And I know – I beat cancer twice!” and gave me the kind of heartfelt hug you only ever read about in books. From a complete stranger who had been through far worse.

I know that some people say New Yorkers are cold and self-centered. But I know something different. You can find good people all around if only you let yourself .

Thank god for New Yorkers.