Hey Murph,

Not so good at writing every day, huh?  But being back in my hometown of Chicago has been a very emotional experience this time around.  For so long I have put my youth on a shelf and don’t go there very often.  I spent a lot of years in therapy going through all that stuff and I’ve blocked out many years that I didn’t consider important to what was happening to my in the present moment (how zen of me!).  But coming back this time has really done a  number on me - a very good number.  I am realizing all the wonderful times we had in our little neighborhood…how our entire world revolved around this teeny area of a very large city.  It was our playground, our battlefield, our fairyland, our new land that we would go out exploring every day.  It was our entire world.  I have opened myself up to re-experience that absolute fantasy of growing up in this phenomenal piece of land during a time where imagination and innocence reigned.

I have also started to re-realize how much of who I am (or who we all are) has its foundation in how and where we grew up.  I am the person I am now because of all the experience I have had since I’ve been born.  They have all added, in some way, to this human being who is sitting in front of a computer right now, writing to you.  Whether I remember those events or not, they are all somehow disseminated in my being and each have had a part of making me who I am today.

During this visit I have allowed myself to relive many of those early days where life revolved around a game of stick ball and Barbie Dolls…..where there were always kids running in and out of our home, where dinner was always at 5:15 cuz that’s when dad came home and where your mom always knew that even though she didn’t know where you were, she knew you were safe.  I have opened myself up to the insouciant joy of that time in my life where everything was fun, where there were no worries, where I knew everything would be all right and where my family and friends surrounded me like cotton candy on a stick.

I also have realized what a treasured childhood I had in so many ways.  There was no abuse, no fear, no worries, no fighting and no concerns that forced me into the adult world ahead of my time.  I was able to be just another kid in the neighborhood, where life was simple, where I was loved and where I was able to just be.

Murph, being in Chicago this time has been such an unexpected gift.  Thanks for telling me it was time to come home.

I love you, Murph

Till Next Time -

Your Humble Road Warrior