The Windy City.
The Second City.
Chi Town.
City of Broad Shoulders.
The City that works.
That Toddling Town.
Whatever you call it, it’s a beauty.
If you are lucky enough to call it “Sweet Home”, then you may want to join me in my thanks today.
I’m grateful for Chicago.
I’m grateful for Lincoln Park and Lakeview and the Gold Coast and the Loop. I’m grateful for the restaurants and the stores and the lake. I’m grateful for the “Bean” and all the other works of art sprinkled around like ornaments throughout the city. I’m thankful for the Lions at the Art Institute and for the “El” that gets us around.
I have memories of living there and it being so cold as I waited for the bus to get to work when I lived at Clark and Wrightwood. I think of Cub’s games and the Cubbie Bear and El Jardin. We used to live by the original Potbellys and between that and Pockets, I was all set. Oh and My Pie for pizza. OR…The Chicago Pizza Oven Grinder.
I worked at 123 West Madison and we had an “Elevator Man”. So cool. I love all the old buildings and churches. I worked across the street from St. Peter’s Church. I loved the way there was always a line on Ash Wednesday to get ashes and the line went all around the city block!
In the city, people are different, unique, diverse. Some neighborhoods are known as Italian or Irish or Croatian or Greek but Chicago is a melting pot. It’s a rich brew of culture and sports and music and dance and art and good food and comedy clubs. There’s nothing like walking along the lake or down the Magnificent Mile.
This is just touching the tip of the iceberg of the cool stuff going on in Chicago. I love the city. For what it meant to me when I was in my 20’s and learning and growing and becoming. And for what it means for me now, when I get to show my kids the life that goes on there and how good it feels to be part of the energy of the city…anything is possible.
Yes, today, I am grateful for Chicago.
(I would love for you to comment about your favorite city and what you love about it!)
©2013 Sue Bidstrup, Great Big YES™ All Rights Reserved