Things I'll miss about Chicago

As we pack up for our big move to Wisconsin, there are some things that I'll miss (and some that I am more than happy to leave behind). After 6 years in Chicago, it's come to feel like home and I am sad to say goodbye but I also cannot wait to be thisclose to family and friends.

What I'll Miss
My amazing team at the center (seriously, if I could pick up my center and bring it with me, I would)
Awesome public transportation
The skyline
Ethnic food any time of the day
My network of fabulous ECE warriors
Being a proud Packers fan in a sea of fair-weather Bears fans

Things Chicago Can Keep
Red light tickets
The Bears (and their fair weather fans)
T.r.a.f.f.I.c.
Paying for parking e'rywhere
That damn alley
The gunshots (I get that there's crime everywhere, I'm not naive, just looking forward to not having my kid grow up numb to the sound of gang wars right down the street)
Rude people
Astronomically high rent

I'm sure this list will continue to grow (in both areas) as our closing date rolls in and we drive out for the last time... until our first visit. ;-)

Comments

Momma K

It's true. I love my mom. She's my best source of advice & wisdom, even though it took me roughly 20 years to figure that out. I just wanted to take a quick second and thank her for all that she's done for me and especially for the things she didn't do for me. =) I wouldn't be the person I am today without her. Love you mom! We're pretty fabulous, no?

It doesn't matter how slow you go...

I saw this online the other day and at first, thought how appropriate it is for what Porch & I have been attempting lately (lots of running) but after some deeper thought and revisiting, I've come to think of this as being more fitting for our story on the road to making a tiny human. I think it's appropriate, meaningful, and inspirational all at once. A great reminder that no matter how slow we move, how many baby steps (no pun intended) we take, as long as we keep moving forward, it's better than giving up in frustration. I once had a colleague tell me that it was only important that we "keep moving forward, no matter what." That mantra has stuck with me for years and I've come to apply it personally and professionally. It's okay that this is taking time. It's our story and it will never be the same as anyone else's story. Likewise, I am not a runner. I honestly don't even know why I started running, but damn it. It feels so ...

It is not 1950; I do not vacuum in pearls.

Hi, it's me - I know it's been a while, but I've been deep inside that bubble I mentioned when everything first happened in November 2020 and I am starting to emerge having done some serious healing and navigating within the trauma of being a suicide survivor and a sole parent. This has nothing to do with that though. I'm dumping this thought here because I need it documented: You know how the conservative crowd tends to use "Well I don't have any children, why should I help pay for the schools?" and "People are just too lazy to work, I don't know why we need social services to help people pay for their child care and food?" I'm noticing those are the same voices I hear in restaurants complaining that there are no servers. No bartenders. No one available to change their oil or to do other trade work. And no one to watch their children. The CEO of the company I work for posted a big response about how child care is the gatekeeper to folks...

Los Porchs

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