“I would not like to live in the city.”

The 9 year-oldish looking boy said to his Mom as I walked past this morning.

Which reminded me....

I started working in Chicago when I was a 17 year-old senior in high school, due to an overloaded class schedule in my junior year - I only had classes in the morning. So I was able to go to school and then take the train into the city to work a few hours at a small law firm in the afternoon.

That was 32 years ago - last month.

Back then my grand plan was to have two residences – one in Chicago that I would use during the week; and for the weekends - one in a western suburb – where my family and friends resided – so I could reconnect and relax out in the “country".

That never happened.

What did happen was a marriage; a house in the burbs; two kids; a bigger house in the burbs; a divorce; a smaller house in the burbs; my son moved out; so now an even smaller house in another suburb.

The first house was about 20 miles from where I live now – the last three have been within three miles of each other…..

Once I planted my roots – I stayed.

But within the last six months or so, I started having this little voice - way, way in the back of my mind nudging me into the city. What I thought I wanted all those years ago – my grand plan – could actually happen.

If my daughter chooses a Chicago college to attend – she and I could rent a place in the city for a time and I could get a taste of what it is like. My weekend suburban home would have to be homes of friends and family (I can’t afford two places!) – but it could work.

I wonder why that little boy didn’t want to live down here?

Maybe I should have slowed my pace to hear his answer to his Mom’s follow up question of “Why?".....

I sometimes wonder if the snippets I overhear are messages from the Great Beyond that offer me guidance.

Well they could be!

No, I haven’t been drinking this morning.

At least not yet.

don’t fret