I HAVE MY HEART
IN SAN FRANCISCO
I fell in love with San Francisco since the first days we moved here on August 19, 1980. Five members of our family – my wife and two of our daughters aged 5 and 12, my wife’s mother, and I, spent our first night in an “inexpensive” hotel located on Leavenworth and Eddy in the heart of the Tenderloin district. Looking out the window at night, we saw pimps, prostitutes and their customers in action. The next day, holding our children’s hands tight, we went to Market Street where we saw many people who talked to themselves (this was long before mobile phones).
It took us some time to get to know what San Francisco and its diverse people all were about. And my love for our city became deeper. Lately, we read a lot of negative comments about San Francisco. I do not want to diminish the real problems; but, like every city, it has history. It started on January 30th, 1847, one hundred years before I was born, with the population of 459. The Gold Rush brought thousands of primarily young men to the place where there was nothing, I mean nothing. And believe me, they had more problems than you can imagine, especially in comparison with today’s reality.
I just finished reading “Antebellum and Civil War San Francisco: A Western Theater for Northern & Southern Politics” written by Monika Trobits. The book describes many events and personalities who influenced the creation of our beloved city. Basically, whatever the problems, this too shall pass, which is the adage of Persian origin:
This too, Shall Pass
When things are bad, remember,
It won’t always be this way.
Take one day at a time.
When things are good, remember,
It won’t always be this way.
Enjoy every great moment.
Recently, when I was at a business meeting in the South of Market, I came across the indication that things are getting better – a brand new restaurant, STK Steakhouse, which looked impressive. These three images posted above will tell the story better.
Enjoy and Share!