Tulip Time

It's tulip time in Chicago! This means thousands, maybe even hundreds of thousands of tulips grace our city walks, parks and the planters in the middle of the streets, like up and down Michigan Avenue in particular. It's spectacular! They just magically seem to "appear" in late April. I suppose some sort of tulip elf plants them in the dark of night. Actually, I saw a city worker planting some one morning last week. I thanked him for the great job he was doing. I hope he didn't think I was being sarcastic because I was NOT. Thank heavens for those city workers who take care of our parks and greenery. Back to the tulips. They really hit me as I left the office late last week. I don't think I had truly noticed, or appreciated them before then. As I walked home, down the avenue, they blanketed the walks and streets. Gorgeous colors. Everywhere. They are so cheerful looking. Happy. Of course, I felt sad. Lou just loved everything about Michigan Avenue, as we would walk arm and arm. I felt overwhelmingly sad. And alone. But that was last week. Today, I felt different. Saw the Cubs play and win this weekend. I hit balls at the driving range yesterday. I'm getting thru the foot high stack of paperwork that never seems to end. I can either look at the tulips and be sad that Lou isn't here, or I can look at them and be happy for their beauty. Today, I tried the latter. It worked. For today anyway.