My First NYC Pride march

Not sure why I had stayed away from marching in a Pride Parade for so long; decades, to be honest. But I'd been a member of NYC's Gay Center for a number of years, and had become active in certain programs. When my fellow Center members asked me to sign up as a participant representing the Center, I was hesitant. Again, not sure why. But in the end -- 2009 -- I agreed and signed up. Still remember the morning I arrived at the gathering spot, the west 30s, right off Fifth Avenue. The mood euphoric, the energy palpable, electric. I felt an emotional smack, on an immediate high. Which remained with me the entire march, reveling in the crowds lining Fifth Avenue, cheering and applauding. My only regret that it had taken me so many years to take part in NYC's Pride March.