Throughout life we often form fond memories that can last us for a lifetime. For me, growing up in New York City, making memories with friends and family was far from challenging, in-fact it was quite easy. However, one summer will always stand out to me and no matter how many years go by or how old I get, it will always be the one story I will share when all of my friends and family are gathered around for any special occasion.
It was the summer of 1999 and everyone was on edge as the millennium was right around the corner. For me however, something that this lifelong New York Knick fan had never before witnessed was going on: my beloved Knicks were in the NBA Finals. They were facing Tim Duncan, David Robinson and the mighty San Antonio Spurs. I have never been so excited, I could not believe that the team that I had grown up loving was on the verge of being champions.
Having moved out of the city by that time I was living in Cincinnati, Ohio. Far from my childhood and long since homesick, I knew that I had to find some way to get back to the city and personally observe a lifetime dream of seeing my beloved team play on the biggest stage in front of the whole world. To my delightful surprise, I awoke to a phone call from my elderly grandfather (whom for the most part raised me single handedly) telling me that he already had me tickets! Needless to say I was a happy camper after that call and simply could not wait to get back to the city.
Five days later I arrived and sat in historic Madison Square Garden next to my beloved grandfather and together we got to watch our favorite team compete for a title. We watched as Allen Houston, Latrell Sprewell and company were able to come from behind and win game four. My grandpa and I stood up and hugged one another in front of everyone when the buzzer sounded after that game. Although our Knicks eventually lost, the memories that I made there with my grandpa could never be replaced.
My grandpa died a few years later and I once again returned to the city for his funeral. Though I was extremely saddened, I could not help but think about the summer of 99 when we were side by side in The Garden rooting our collective hearts out for the team that had united us in the living room throughout my childhood. I will forever replay this memory for the rest of my life.
