Nostalgia

I can't sleep. And no, its not because I've been stressed over writer's block and not posting a new blog in 2 weeks. I am most likely apprehensive about the night to come. Riley is the traveler of the family, not me. It takes me at least a night to get used to being in a new place, away from our pillow-top, to get a decent night's sleep. Hence, sleeping in 3 different hotels in 3 nights isn't working out for me. I don't like being away from home. But, I am in Chicago...and better yet, my old stomping ground. Much like Steelers fans needed specific events to take place in the closing minutes of Sunday's Superbowl, it took an alignment of certain cosmic events for me to be writing you from Diversey and Clark in the 773. Yet, here I am. I am travelling this week, my once-a-month away from home that has taken me to Rockford, Illinois and will take me to Manassas, Virginia. Its easier to say Chicago and DC. Our work at the Rockford hospital ended at least a half a day early and left me on my own for over a day in the Windy City. My search for an overnight stay sent me to a place I knew, said old stomping ground in north Lincoln Park/south Lakeview. I took not only the cheapest hotel on my company's approved list but also the closest to where I lived during my sabbatical from the sunny South between 2005 and 2007. I've been to Chicago 3 times now since Roo and I packed...correction...crammed all of my belongings from my studio apartment 5G in the Brewster on the shores of Lake Michigan into an Enterprise mini-van, headed south bound for a better life and a life together. For you trivia buffs, my old apartment while I was at Northwestern was where the movie Child's Play was filmed. For you good friends, this place was one that nearly breaked but ultimately maked Riley and my relationship. So its bittersweet being in the old stomping ground, I tried to reunite with a few close family members and friends, I watched some Bulls basketball and even some Blackhawks hockey. I walked in the brisk gusts that brought negative wind chills. And I laid my head down thanking God for all of it and mostly for Riley not giving up on me. I got promoted today, for the second time in about 6 months. While very deserved, it came quite unexpected. I take pride in what I do and I try to make those around me proud of my work. Again, mostly, I want Riley to be proud of what I am working towards because it is for us, not for me...and yet it all finally comes so naturally. The days when I lived for myself are long gone. The days when I thought I could or had to fight for myself are past me. I know I don't have to nor would I ever want to without Roo at my side. Again, it is bittersweet, and a little frostbitten, to be in the old neighborhood. So many memories, good and bad, come back to me so quickly...but then all of those are overwritten by the memories forged over the past year and a half. I'll probably go get a Chicago-style hot dog with my Uncle Mike on the way to O'hare tomorrow but I don't think any hot dog has ever tasted as good since Roo said I do.

Editor's note: I don't write this stuff just to attract followers or to get "You guys are so sweet" posts. This was mostly written because Roo is a time zone away and most likely asleep while I can't be just that and wish I were a few 900 miles closer. The bed here is very uncomfortable...find me a case where the cheapest hotel option was the best.