Jalani and Synchronisity

A funny thing happened on my way home from class . . . From up at the Guggenheim, I had to travel south and cross the Park. No big deal. I could handle a long walk, despite my blisters, right? I took part of the walk with Fawn (a music teacher) and then set out across Central Park on my own. I missed the 79th street traverse, though, and decided to walk around the pond. That LONG detour allowed me to take in the lovely pond and fountains in the park. It also placed me SOUTH of where I needed to be. Oh well. I headed north. . .

On the way home, I see the New York Historical Society:

Wow! They have an art exhibit on slavery that I thought I might miss. They don't close for an hour. I'm going in!

I paid my $5 (student price) and surveyed the exhibit. Nothing by Radcliffe . . . So I checked out the most striking works in depth for the next half hour.

Lorenzo Pace created the last piece I observed - a sculptural family tree. Part of this work included a picture book "Jalani and the Lock." I read it. Perfect for four-year-olds needing to understand slavery! Into the museum shop to purchase a copy! One remained. I snatched it up, along with others. (I am a book nut after all, right?)

As I finished my spree, someone else sought a copy of the children's book. I held the last copy in my hands. I offered it to the black man and white woman who wanted it. They said, "no" and suggested that they might find another copy (for whomever). Then, I noticed the man's face. Just as I recognized him, the woman said, "It's his book." The artist himself!

I spoke to him for a few minutes and he offered to autograph it for me. He inscribed it to the schoolchildren. What a memento. I'm SO glad I took the long way home.