Be afraid, very afraid

So my girlfriend and I are talking about her 6th grade daughter who is being bullied in school. When my friend asked her daughter if she was scared of this girl, her daughter shook her head yes. Hmm, my friend pondered, is this girl larger than you? Yes, the daughter shook her head again. Hmm, my friend hesitated, is this girl larger than me? (My friend is a size 2, most people are larger than her~crazy hesitation and question) Yes, the daughter shook her head and then added, "Mom even her breasts are larger than yours!"

Well....there you have it!
Be afraid, very afraid.

Chicago...

Sometimes we just have to get away from the everyday activities and our normal environment to gain perspective of our purpose. We were in Chicago less than 48 hours but Gracie and I made the most of it. Riding the subway to Downtown, which BTW was her first time to ride, was a thrill to watch her observe the difference in people. Our first person she noticed was the little old man in the blue hat - talking to himself and everyone around. He was loud, talking about absolutely nothing, yet brought a smile to the faces around him. Which was more than others were able to accomplish. We hit downtown around noon, walked Magnificent Mile browsing through many stores (American Girl, Nike, Feline's Basement, Guess, Macy's, Marshall Fields to name a few) and ended for a break at our fav - Corner Bakery! With our cup of coffee and hot chocolate in hand we journeyed to the river, stopping at the NBC studio where Gracie jumped up and down outside behind the news anchor's studio window. Yes, it showed that on air :). After a long day, we headed to the CTA to take the subway home. Crowded in with the other bizillion 5 o'clockers we stood and finally found two seats available. After about 30-40 minutes on the subway there were only two other men and us left on....we thought...until back in the corner was our little old man in the blue hat. I couldn't resist. I had to go over and take a picture. At first he was reluctant saying, "No, no, no, no" as fast as he could. Then I told him, "We just want to take a picture of your cute little blue hat." Well O.K., he decided. Snap I got the picture. He couldn't wait to see his picture, loved it and as we got off the subway he waved goodbye.

The next day Gracie and I were up early and headed back into downtown. After having breakfast at our fav - Corner Bakery, we headed over to the Sears Tower (the tallest building in the U.S.). Wow, that's incredible and everyone must journey up to the 103 or 99th floor. After we finished our hour or so of gazing at beautiful Chicago we headed back out to the streets to journey some more.

I realized several things on this trip:

1. Rarely do people smile if they don't know you, but when you take a chance and smile first - most often than not - they smile back. -:0).

2. The traffic ladies in Chicago are very friendly - we're glad because we asked each one we saw how to get from A-B & Y-Z, they always obliged and helped us.

3. Grace likes revolving doors. I should have one put in the house.

4. We held casual interviews on the streets of Chicago asking what "girl" advice they would give to an 11 year old. Great advice...I'll post it someday.

5. People who sing on the streets and in the subway stations have great voices - they should get paid more for singing.

6. Our hearts hurt for the homeless people who sat or laid there awake but lifeless. We smiled, they didn't.

7. Corner Bakery has an awesome staff - friendly, helpful and funny.

8. The people in Chicago are just like the people in our hometown - hard workers trying to get by - but if they saw someone in need, they would help.

9. We affect each other a lot and can change an expression or thought by an act of kindness.

10. I loved my time with my daughter, Gracie. She reminds me to chillout - enjoy life - turn the phone and laptop off. Go through the revolving door more than once. Ride the elevator to the top floor. Feed the pigeons on the street. Smile at the homeless and on the subway. Keep things simple like the little man in the blue hat: strike up a conversation, be able to laugh at yourself and smile at everyone around.

Gracie you poured in my life again without even knowing. But guess who else did too, the little man with the blue hat, without even knowing it he poured into my life.

So here's to a great trip Gracie and our new friend, the little old man with the blue hat!