hope that winter may actually end in chicago arrives in one gracious and unexpected day were temps reach an outstanding 50 degrees, sandwiched between frigid, windy days on each side. that day, people change. perceptions shift. and the world is good. if only for that day. i always know what day "this day" lands on because people waiting for the bus or train, after a winter of conserving every bit of energy to survive the bitter cold and wind, start to actually peer outward. and then they actually talk to each other.
i usually have my senses honed for this, watching those at cta posts, waiting for them to crack. the antisocial winter behaviors of rushing everywhere and physically closing up to avoid hypothermia take a much-needed break. this year, i not only was able to enjoy the first warm day, but i was also fortunate enough to participate in this ritual.
there are only a few allotted hours in the afternoon to pick-up visas downtown. i skillfully timed this from the main st. purple line stop and charged up the stars to get to the platform. once there, i felt the warming sun and noticed that i actually enjoyed waiting for the train as i bubbled over with excitement about the purpose of my errand. then it happened. this sweet, but gruff woman sat down next to me and initiated a conversation.
this is more telling to me than the groundhog's shadow. we made it chicago. it will be freezing again tomorrow and we'll go back to our mute ways, but the worst is over. you can feel the energy in the air. the plans being made. the relief. the realization that a taste of spring can bloom right after the darkest depths of a winter that just never let up.
and so we are back to cold days in chicago. and although the weather tells of something else, winter is over. and i am going to india.
