Still reeling today from my Chicago - Denver flight, which deposited a plane full of stupefied, sleep-deprived travelers at rainy DIA circa 3:45am. Though the plane ride was both turbulent and extremely late, it matters not at all in a critical review of my weekend visit to the Chicago Clavs. What pleasure to arrive at O'Hare on Friday afternoon and see my sister standing at the gate! Though she had a murderous glare in the back of her eyes after a traumatic travelingday and a two - mile run through the airport to my gate, she and I quickly embarked upon our L ride into the South side and caught up on all things education and kid-related during brief moments when we could actually be heard over the roar of the train.
When we entered John and Carol's warm abode we were greeted by smiling babies and cousins running rampant through the three stories. Mom and Dad were there, smiling as warmly as baby Tommy and offering warm hugs and words of welcome. After a grilled dinner and fantastic chat session where John told side-splitting jokes at his own expense, Mom, Dad, Karen and I departed for our hotel on the South Loop, a mere six blocks from the Comic Con convention, C2E2.
No sooner had we entered our rooms on the third floor when the fire drill went off. Karen - having the only practical mind out of the four of us - persuaded us to join the hordes of costumed hotel guests flooding down the stairwells toward the cold and rainy night. Fortunately, there was an overhang to obstruct the wintry drops, but we shivered and huddled together while the Avengers talked with the Joker, a devilish looking woman in a red cape held court with Captain America and random tourists (including ourselves) took photos of the four fire trucks and battalion of CFD firemen in battle gear.
Aden texted me to ask if it was a good time to call, and I texted back that no, the wail of the sirens and the buzzing glare of the fire alarm made it a difficult time to talk. I sent a selfie of me with Mom and Dad, grinning maniacally in the cold, super-hero infested courtyard. Aden, ever cool, texted back, "Good luck with the fire drill, and btw, cool selfie." Which we all thought was hysterically funny and made me pee my pants (just a little bit), since I had to leave the hotel room before I could use its bathroom. When the situation mysteriously resolved, the ladders came down and the firemen left to much applause, Captain America held the door for us to enter and Thor pressed the button for the elevator.
The rest of the weekend was a beautiful blend of sun and rain, conversation and walks to juice and coffee bars, and playing with the children. Audrey's First Communion Mass was lovely and my niece looked like a princess. She reigned over her day with a combination of warm grace and 2nd grade exuberance - a perfect combination. Many thanks to John and Carol and all who traveled for a weekend to remember.
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