More of What I Learned

Lesson Two +

Traveling can be tiresome but Chicago and the Midwest hold a special place in my heart. I used to take the South Shore Railway into Chicago during the holidays and shop at Marshall Fields, as well as race from store to store down Michigan Avenue so as not to freeze. One time, my ears got so cold I could think of nothing else; I actually thought I could hear the blood slow and freeze in my lobes. Ducking into a five and dime to buy earmuffs saved my day of shopping. Chicago.

I have missed the Midwest and the beauty, the green, the life and love that grows as rich as the earth does. It is easy to forget its simplicity and in-your-face truth when you deal daily with horrific traffic, unbelievable housing prices and the false pretenses of business as usual. Not that Chicago, or even the Midwest for that matter, doesn't have its share of above complaints. It just doesn't seem as plausible when cruising down I-94 with nary a car to pass or grumble about.

My first stop at O'Hare was the restroom and please forgive my incredulousness at what I beheld or my naiveté, if this isn't something new to you... But how is it that we have we gotten so lazy that someone actually went out and invented self-covering toilet seats? I think I stared at this phenomenon for several seconds and then actually pulled out my phone to take a picture. Simply waving your hand over a motion detector signals a "train" of plastic to sleeve its way around the seat. Seriously. Not kidding. Sorry, I guess I am still in shock.

And to think, I had to travel over 2,000 miles to see such innovation. I stood by the baggage carousel and still marveled at what I had seen. Even as I plotted my course to Madison, WI on my GPS, I couldn't help but drift back to the rouched toilet sleeve and wonder what else awaited me. Little did I know that an incredible view of Madison's Capital Building, lit up in blue would take my breath away and be so closely tied to the blues band I enjoyed the following evening.

I guess it doesn't take much to fascinate or delight me. The fact is that the lessons in life come fast and furious; there usually isn't a lot of time for note taking or picture taking, unless of course you are awed in a bathroom stall. The important lessons stick with you whether you take notes or not. I didn't lift a pen but the information endowed to me and the others that sat around in comfy chairs or tables or dart boards has stuck in my craw and the sharing was rich. Simple wisdom I gained? if you don't learn, the lesson was wasted. Learning means growing, means changing - either thought or action. It also means discovery - about oneself, about others and more. I didn't need a pen for that.

@ by rayannethorn

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