Stop Here

Some days I think my train stop was made for me. Walking from Union Station to the ‘L’, the Sears Towers come into view as traffic and tunnels take over the street. The city’s energy palpates, even during early morning with buildings reminding us that there are limits beyond the sky.

The ‘L’ train then moves us through the city, passing buildings before looping outside the city. Here is where you get to be on the outside looking in (last week’s post). That scene puts me in my place everyday. Pulls me out of my introspection. Inspires me to aspire.

The familiarity of Polk Station is like a gentle friend, calming amidst chaos. Grounding. Dunkin Donuts is right at my stop, which reminds me of my grandfather each morning as he used to buy us donuts by the dozens just so his girls had ‘something sweet like them.’ I feel like it’s his way of saying I’m still here with you kid.

University of Illinois Library is right across the street from the train stop. If you don’t know I LOVE libraries. It used to be my dream to be a librarian and read every book in the county library. Dreams may have shifted over the years, but my loving of reading and learning is so ingrained in my, I can’t imagine life without it.

I pass a sign saying, “Keep Having a Good Day” each morning and evening. Wish I knew who wrote it so I could thank them for the encouragement.

I then walk along the campus, which feels safe and familiar. And as I walk past the medical school, the architecture reminds me of Fletcher Hall, my sophomore year dorm. There I learned how to TRULY live in community and that life can happen in the small moments just as profoundly as it does in the grand.

Before crossing the street I usually turn back around, seeing one last glimpse of Sears Tower and where I came before going to the hospital.  

As I made this walk yesterday, I smiled realizing how my morning path is literally paved. Paved with the roots of family rituals, childhood dreams and lessons from adventures. My heart became overwhelmed today though because it felt like those who made those marks were there with me. Like they were lining the path cheering me on as I walked into a new day at fieldwork.

Honestly, this experience is proving more terrifying, gratifying and refining then I expected. Some days I feel invincible and others about to crumble. But my morning walk reminds me of where I’ve been, who helped get me there and where I am heading.

Perhaps people don’t cross our paths. Maybe they strengthen it. Define it. Line it.