Chicago: A Journey Through Family, Architecture, and Memories
I have always dreamed of visiting Chicago for several reasons.
As a huge Oprah fan, I had always wanted to attend a taping of The Oprah Winfrey Show, but I was never able to get tickets.
My husband was born in Chicago and often shared stories about his childhood there. He came from a large Italian family that owned a neighborhood bakery, and when he was very young, he lived in the apartment above it. We had always planned to visit Chicago together someday, but unfortunately he passed away before we had the opportunity.
When my sister Judy suggested a trip to Chicago, I was thrilled. After spending a few days visiting our sister Deanna in Iowa, we left early one morning and drove all day toward the city. Road trips have always been one of my favorite ways to travel. Along the way we reminisced about childhood memories, talked about our hopes and dreams for the future, discussed politics, and shared our thoughts on life in general.
We arrived in Chicago around 4:30 in the afternoon—just in time for rush hour traffic! Eventually we found our hotel, which was located only a few blocks from Lake Michigan and Navy Pier in the heart of downtown Chicago. Judy could not have chosen a better location. From the moment we arrived, I was captivated by the city. The towering buildings, beautiful waterfront, and incredible architecture left me in awe. The rich history of Chicago fascinated me, and sharing the experience with my sister made it even more special.
We packed our days with all the classic tourist activities. We took an architectural boat tour along the Chicago River, cruised out onto Lake Michigan for spectacular views of the skyline, rode the hop-on-hop-off tour bus through the city, and visited the Willis Tower—still known to many as the Sears Tower—for a breathtaking view from above.
Throughout the trip, I often found myself thinking about my husband, Frank. Standing among Chicago’s remarkable buildings, I could understand how the city might have inspired him as a child. Even though he was no longer with us, I often felt his presence. Frank was a gifted architect, and seeing the city through his eyes added another layer of meaning to the experience.
There was a third reason I had always wanted to visit Chicago as well. At O’Hare International Airport stands Michael Hayden’s famous neon sculpture, Sky’s the Limit. My father was an electronics genius, and he designed the computer system that controls the sculpture’s mesmerizing display of lights.
The last time I had seen the sculpture, it wasn’t hanging in a major international airport. Instead, it was stretched across the desert behind my father’s workshop for testing. It took an entire day to assemble. By the time everything was ready, darkness had fallen. When my father finally switched it on, the desert came alive with dancing colors and light. It was an incredible sight. Several neighbors spotted the glow from nearby hillsides and drove over to investigate. They were convinced a UFO had landed!
Chicago exceeded every expectation I had. I found myself imagining what it would be like to live there, perhaps in one of the high-rise buildings overlooking the lake and city skyline. The energy, beauty, and architecture of the city were captivating. I remember thinking it would be wonderful to spend a year immersed in that environment. Who knows—maybe someday.
Seeing Sky’s the Limit at O’Hare was the perfect ending to my Chicago experience. The sculpture is a stunning work of art, and standing beneath it brought back many wonderful memories of my father. It also reminded me of the time I spent around Michael Hayden and the talented team who helped bring his imaginative creations to life.
Chicago gave me far more than beautiful architecture and memorable sightseeing. It connected me to my husband, my father, and my family in ways I never expected. That is what I remember most when I think back on my visit to the Windy City.
