As the
coming months arrive, I can only brace myself for the arctic air to grace
Chicago with its presence. I cherish the
excitement of knowing Halloween is on its way. Halloween should be all year
round. But, I can’t help but romanticize
the snow, big fluffy coats, and red noses.
There
are brief moments in life that I hope to never forget. These images will forever be crystallized in my mind as beautiful works of art.
Similar to way Chanel’s inspirations are captured in the film, Coco
Before Chanel, these moments in time have stayed frozen in my mind as the years
pass.
The
first time begins on a Thursday evening, as I waited for the light to
change. I sit in my favorite 1999 black
Honda Civic. It was so cold that I could see faint signs of my breathing in the
small space of my car and my bare hands change to a reddish state. The winter was only in its beginning phases.
I turn to look over at the historic Pickwick Theater.
Under
the marquee an older gentleman stood changing the letters. His gray hair and
balding scalp were exposed to the cold.
He was wearing only a navy blue jumpsuit, the same as a car repair man
would be wearing. A cigarette hung from his lips as he held the stick to change
the lettering. With each breath, the
thick steam came from his mouth. I
watched him before the light turned. I
was enchanted by the beautiful image that laid before me.
Somethings
never change.
Another
time that was just as beautiful.
I was
a seasoned Amtrak rider at this point.
The train was packed primarily with students and some civilians from Milwaukee
to Chicago. I used to think of it as
the Hogwarts Express. I had become more
and more excited as the train approached my stop.
The flurries
of snow begin to fall as the train starts.
A thin layer of snow already covers the ground and trees creating a blur
of white as the train speeds by. The
evening sky was lite up by early Christmas decorations.
The
light snow fall created a dazzling haze.
The lights from inside the train flooded out onto the platform. I waited
my turn to step off the train. The cold air filled my lungs to a freeze, as I
took my first step. It felt good. The
train attendee stood on the platform as the passengers filed out of the
car. The glowing light from the train
hid his face. The outline of his body visible with a glowing hallow of around
it. His uniform shined bright beneath
the light and black sky. The silver
badge that lay on his chest sparkled in the soft light.
It was
like a scene from a movie.
