..."sunshine..."

This is a tale of a getaway to the city.  The hubs and I had wanted to get a way this winter.  With a business trip looming next month, winter has almost elapsed; we decided to escape to Chicago.  A newly married couple stayed with the fellers,  giving them a break from their grouchy exhausted parents.

What fun it was to spend time reconnecting as a couple.  We decided to have a progressive dinner.  We had an hors d'oeuvre at one restaurant... shared an entree at another... a final stop for dessert.

The following morning we "coffee'd" and read our eBooks... people watched from the arm chair separated from the sidewalk by a pane of glass.

We did a little window shopping... making a wish list of things that would someday look at home in our cozy casa. (this was the hubs favorite)  The hubs picked out a few frocks for me to wear at some upcoming family events.... fashion show as he calls it.

@ The James Hotel - David Burke's Prime House

Then as late afternoon & happy hour approached.... we started our progressive eating again:  The James... Park Place Hyatt's NoMi... Joe's... 

 (did I mention I added 3 lb. to my figure? jogging in my near future....)

We had time to inquire on the other's dreams, fears... thoughts, feelings... to fellowship as a couple.

One of the things I love most about the city is the effect the skyscrapers have on the sunshine, the shadows they cast.  I took some great pictures last spring of different flower boxes/planters and how the the sunshine or shadow effected their contents and the lushness.  (but must not have saved on our iCloud, darn it) On one side of the street the concrete and steel can be completely enveloped in shade... chilled from the lack of solar energy.But across the street, out of the shadow of the skyscraper, the sun shines brightly... radiating it's light & warmth.

In her book Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert speaks of this,
“I crossed the street to walk in the sunshine.”

It is easy in life to sink into the routine, hum-drum, normalcy of life, but every now and then we need a break from the shadow that routine can cast... to cross the street into the sunshine.  Do something out of the ordinary. Go for a walk in the woods. Go watch children play at the park. Sit at the edge of a fountain and let the water relax your soul. Take a few minutes to, "...cross the street & walk in the light."

“Americans have an inability to relax into sheer pleasure.Ours is an entertainment seeking-nation, but not necessarily a pleasure-seeking one....This is the cause of that great sad American stereotype- the overstressed executive who goes on vacation, but who cannot relax.” 
― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love


The above quote was said to Elizabeth by an Italian friend.  They have mastered the art of enjoying doing nothing... the simple pleasure of living... relaxing... “La Dolce Vita." .... simple life.

We arrived home refreshed, "youthful," passionate once again. Ready to take on all life as a CFO & not-so-desparate-housewife has to offer.

The fellers, & most importantly their caregivers, were all intact... embracing in reunion after a mutual... much needed respite.  The sun continued to beam in NW Indiana... making for a grand afternoon out in the woods... meditating on the idea...

"The shadow proves the sunshine." - SWITCHFOOT