Angry construction workers and the slow sip of coffee

It is two days before my 28th birthday. I moved to my new city of Chicago when I was 27, and I can’t help but reflect on where this journey has taken me.

Right now I’m sipping coffee. I like to sip coffee in the mornings. Since I don’t live with my parents anymore, coffee now seems to have taken the role of a parental figure, reminding me that yes, I still need guidance even in my late 20s. It calmly wakes me with its warmth, but also reminds me of the reality of the day as the caffeine sets in. Where would I be without coffee in the mornings? There are construction workers arguing outside my window. Who am I kidding….there are ALWAYS construction workers arguing outside my window.

It has been seven months and three days since moving here. In a way, time has flown by. But I have noticed how there are days that creep by slowly, making sure that I take in the heat on my skin, the sound of the emergency vehicle trying to make its way through congested traffic, or the taste of the thai curry on my plate. Those slow days are a gentle reminder of the difficult choice I made to leave the state that I was in love with all in order to simply see what else was beyond. BEYOND. It’s a short word that takes you to places you’ve never been and emotions you’ve never experienced.

Sometimes I play a game when I’m walking down the street. If I hear a large vehicle coming down the street behind me, I will close my eyes and try to guess if it’s a CTA bus or a dumpster. I think I’ve perfected the sound game, but sometimes I will smile and turn my head to see a bus full of strangers, but in reality, see a large dumpster with a depressed driver behind the wheel. It’s a bit disappointing when you see a dumpster trucking down the street, but I’m getting better. The sounds of the city are blaring and beautiful, and I don’t believe I have tired of symphony yet.

I have met people that have opened my eyes to new ways of thought and perspective. My roommate will come home and ask that I pray for her clients who are seeking citizenship. She works with refugees everyday. Her stories could make your head spin. Without divulging personal stories of her clients, I will safely say that their journeys make mine look like a vacation on a yacht. I’m ashamed, but her stories remind me that I rub shoulders on the bus and train with people who have fled wars, famine and poverty all to be a citizen of this country.

I am excited about living here. I feel I haven’t even scratched the surface on all there is to do and see here, but I’m willing to stay here until I have exhausted all opportunities. I will soon change my license over to Illinois residence. I believe I will cry when I actually am taking the screws off of my Tennessee plate to replace it will my Illinois license plate, but time goes on. And, to sum up a wise saying I once heard, “You can always go back home.” For now - I have the heart of an explorer, and I will indulge that until my heart says go home. (IF it ever says that!)

I welcome the age of 28 with open arms. Here to the journey. Here’s to what God will teach me through His mercies, here’s to celebrating with friends both near and far, here’s to going full-speed into my career, here’s to taking care of children I have grown to love, here’s to touring this country through the glorious freedom of road trips, here’s to giving back more than what’s been given to me, and here’s to living life to the absolute fullest extent. Ever seeing, ever learning, ever giving.

Bring it on, 28.…