From Flushing to Westbury: When Home Makes the Wrong List
Every once in a while, something pops up on social media that makes you stop scrolling.
I recently watched this Facebook Reel:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/861451983514866
As I watched it, one thing immediately caught my attention—and not in a good way.
The first city mentioned in the reel was Westbury, New York.
That one hit a little differently.
I was born in Flushing, Queens, but I grew up in Westbury. That wasn't just a place on a map—it was home.
I attended the Westbury Public Schools.
I worked on Post Avenue.
I delivered newspapers through the neighborhoods.
I spent countless hours walking those streets, making friends, growing up, and creating memories that still stick with me today.
No town is perfect. Every community has challenges, and every place changes over time. But when the very first thing people hear about a town is something negative, it's disappointing for those of us who remember so many good moments there.
When I think of Westbury, I don't immediately think about headlines.
I think about riding my bike.
I think about neighbors.
I think about school.
I think about my first jobs.
I think about learning responsibility by delivering newspapers, long before GPS and smartphones existed.
Those experiences helped shape who I am today.
Maybe that's why this reel struck a nerve. It's a reminder that a city is much more than whatever story happens to be trending online at the moment.
To everyone who grew up in Westbury, I'd love to hear what you remember most. What was your favorite place? What do you miss? What memories still make you smile?
Take a look at the reel and let me know your thoughts: