Member-only story
Hugging Craigslist Strangers in SoHo
How an open heart makes the impossible — possible
“Will you carry it down for me?” I asked. No way could I carry a wood kitchen table down 6 flights alone.
“I just had surgery,” he said, “but I can help you. We can do it together — it’s not that heavy.”
Alright. We set the pick up time for 5:00pm on Thursday.
My daughter waited with the car in front of the SoHo building on Sullivan Street. A clear view of the Freedom Tower gave me the chills.
I caught my breath after walking the 6 flights up and then knocked. A sweet man named Michael let me in to his apartment. After a quick hello, I plopped myself down to sit at the table I agreed to purchase. I observed how strange it was that I walked right in to this stranger’s apartment as if we were old friends. Isn’t this exactly what we are not supposed to do?
We talked for a few minutes and chatted about the table. I asked if that gorgeous crystal lamp was for sale. Nope — it was his Grandma’s. I handed him $40 and then he got his jacket on and grabbed a reusable bag from the closet. He was heading to Trader Joe’s down the street after we got the table down. If you live on a 6 floor walk up you never waste a trip down without making it useful. I could tell this man has a loving…
