Activity
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blew submitted a contest entry to
Write A Letter To A Place That Changed You 3 weeks, 5 days agoHOME SWEET GROUP HOME
Bryant LewisThis is actually a very easy topic for me. This place that I am going to tell you about means everything to me. Honestly, it probably saved my life. To give a quick set up, I was a pre-teen, the oldest of 8 kids, and felt out of place. I didn’t feel like I was getting the attention, or the love from my mother, or the man that was living with us at the time that my other siblings were receiving. After staying out all night, stealing money from my mother for about a year, I was sent away to a group home. St. Joseph’s was the name of the place where I spent 6 years, from 7th grade until I graduated high school. When I arrived, I was this nerdy, unathletic, scared of my own shadow kid. St. Joe’s simply transformed me, set the stage for me in becoming the man I am today. The counselors were of different backgrounds, ages, male and female both. As a matter of fact, as a side note, one of our female counselors who was actually a nun, who I had a huge crush on. She eventually, left the convent, and got married, but I digress. I learned to play sports, becoming captain, and one of the star athletes on campus. Because I was still that nerd, I went to school off campus, shoutout to PVC Middle School & Croton-Harmon High where I learned not only scholastically, but culturally as well, being one of a handful of African Americans at the school. But I learned to be a leader, developed empathy, which got me working with younger kids, as a coach, as a mentor. My first girlfriend was from the group home, as it was coed. Where the confidence was totally nonexistent, when I arrived, I was completely the opposite 6 years later. I graduated from high school, went on to college, found my niche as a broadcasting major. I learned about the “finer things” in life. Most importantly, I learned how to become a man, a strong, black man, how to be a father!!! 3 months before my arrival, I was contemplating suicide. St. Joseph’s home, in Peekskill, NY. rescued me, transformed me, quite simply saved my life!!! It no longer exists, but I DO EXIST because of them.
Voting starts July 26, 2025 12:00am
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blew submitted a contest entry to
Write a love letter to something (not someone) that you love 3 months, 3 weeks agoMy love letter to “The World’s Most Famous Arena”
BryantI love a lot of things in life: Football, going to the movies, especially comic book superheroes, I love helping my community, in particular, the youth. I definitely love writing. But New York City’s Madison Square Garden is what I have the ultimate love affair with. It started at the ripe old age of 8, when my mother took my siblings and I to the circus. She bought us these little flashlights from the vendor out in the hallway, before you entered the arena, It was attached to this long plastic lanyard, that you can spin around when they shut down the house lights, more on that later. As we entered the arena, I remember the panoramic masterpiece I viewed with the different colors of the seats, which represented the different levels of MSG. I was hooked from that moment. The different acts, the animals, the acrobats, made my fantasy real, not the clowns though, not a big fan.
The next 5 decades, the love affair has been filled with so many memories. My first rock concert, The Stones in ’75, which was also the first time I ever smelled marijuana. Going to see the Knicks, and my indoctrination of being a rude fan. Being introduced to hockey and the Rangers, having the privilege of actually playing basketball there. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say just every time I would walk into the “World’s Greatest Arena” has always been beyond special and magical for me. I have great memories of the similar introductions I gave my sons and their own experiences both with me, and with their friends, and family. It’s gotten to the point that I felt hurt and betrayed that Trump had his little get together there. I would yell at the TV, asking why couldn’t have this been held at the Prudential Center, which is in Jersey. But besides that moment of discontent, Whenever I see the Garden on TV, either for a live event, and definitely when a moment that I was in attendance for is replayed, I beam with reverence, I cry tears of happiness for an iconic piece of NYC history that I have called my home away from home. The Garden, has been so instrumental in the growth, and development of Bryant, I thank my mother, and my foster family for introduction, and God for allowing me the opportunities I couldn’t have ever thought would happen in my wildest dreams.Voting is closed
