Song Alford - Helping Me Along In A New City

I had just moved to Los Angeles in February of 1999.  It was a new chapter in my life and I was excited.  I didn’t really know anyone, but I felt it was the place that I should be at the time.  After checking into my hotel, I took the advice of the cab driver and picked up a local tabloid that had listings for apartments, jobs, etc. I found some possibilities, circled them and affirmed to myself before going to sleep, that I would be guided to the right apartment in which to live.

The next morning I got up, went next door to a local market and had breakfast.  After breakfast, I went back to the hotel, picked up the tabloid with the ads that I had circled.  I love to walk and decided that I wanted to checkout some of the places that were not that far away.  So off I went and before I knew it, I was standing in front of a building that I had circled in the tabloid.  I walked up the steps, pressed the buzzer and an older lady with a very warm smile greeted me.  She was the apartment manager and her name was Song.  I went into the building and she took me to view one of the available apartments.  Upon entering, I immediately liked the apartment, it was exactly the right size and the right price, so I filled out an application.  We talked afterwards and then I departed to look at some other apartments.  But I really thought that this was where I wanted to live.  It was a great location, besides, I really liked Song.

I awoke the next morning to an early morning telephone call and it was Song!  She wanted me to know that my application had been approved and I could move in!  I was surprised that it was so quick, but very happy and made arrangements to move into my new apartment.  Song greeted me as I moved in and it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with her.

After moving in, Song sat down with me and explained that she understood what it was like to come to a new city, as well as a new country, where you just might feel alone.  Song had moved to America from South Korea and had experienced the Korean War when she was a young girl.  She wanted to help.  She knew that I was an artist, with an interest in fashion and dolls.  She felt she knew where I needed to go.  She not only told me where I needed to go, she took me there!  This was the first of many things that Song would do for me.  She was almost like a mother for me, not in a smothering way, but in the most sensitive way.  Gently suggesting and guiding me, if I would ask about anything.

I no longer live in Los Angeles.  But I have never forgotten my friend, Song.  She told me many stories and she seem to have a wisdom that I just could never get enough of.  She taught me to visualize what I wanted for my life, move toward it and to always be grateful. 

If you should ever come across this, my dear friend Song, I just want you to know how grateful I am that you came into my life, helping me in countless ways and I can never thank you enough.

Much Love,

Miki