Pride in Port 2011 Essay Contest Winner Michelle Pennisi

A note from the Pride in Port Committee: The loving home and inner strength of her good friend, Ria Meade, motivated Michelle to submit an essay about Ria’s house to the contest. Michelle is a licensed New York State vet tech who grew up in Port Washington, attended Daly and Weber, and graduated from Schreiber High School in 2001. At Schreiber, Michelle participated in varsity softball, cross-country and field hockey. Before receiving a degree through Cornell’s Veterinary Science program at Suffolk Community College, Michelle graduated from Clark University. Outside of work, Michelle enjoys visiting Ria, scuba diving, world travel, dog walking and going to Yankee games.
 
Ria’s House: A Place of Hope and Serenity by Michelle Pennisi

Tucked away behind Main Street lies a place in Port Washington unlike any other. It is an enchanting wonderland, where animals roam and candy flows and a museum of artwork is showcased on the walls. A place that is dark, and yet so bright and inviting at the same time. Cold canine noses with warm hearts stand guard at the door and welcome in the guests. Their soft amber eyes are wild with excitement and already you can feel your troubles melt away. The ambiance is spacious, but the immensity of the love inside makes everything feel so close together. There is a constant flow of people coming and going, who enrich the environment with friendship and laughter, all driven by a mutual dedication to the inhabitants within.

Out back, through a sliding glass door, an entourage of birds and squirrels pitter-patter across the deck, feasting harmoniously on a medley of seeds and nuts. It is a beautiful place of tranquility, like a bird sanctuary, encapsulated by canopies of trees and colorful foliage. A wide-eyed, rotund kitty observes this daily spectacle, intently, from inside. The love between species – feline, canine and humans alike – is so profound and impressive that you can’t help but leave feeling comforted and refreshed with a smile on your face.

The lady of the house, Ms. Ria Meade, is the thread that ties it all together. After living 27 years without sight, it is her faith, perseverance and inner strength that create this place of inspiration.

When you are here, in this home, you feel a tremendous sense of trust and belonging. It is a place free of judgment that allows you to truly be yourself. Here, you feel as if you are entering an invincible bubble, a safe haven from life’s commotions…Where hopes and dreams find meaning and vision…A place where you can collect your thoughts and learn to appreciate those things in life that really matter.  

Editor's Note:  were announced on Patch on Sept 17. Patch will be running each of the winning essays this week.