Hawks win! Hawks win!

I can’t remember the first time I went to Chicago. We went every summer and some winters to visit my grandparents and extended family who had settled there from Germany in the ’60s.

I do remember the unique culture of my mother’s family, the neighborhood, the city. The energy and exploration. I remember the anticipation and the nine hour drives. I remember needing to put on a sweater every summer once we got to Mt. Vernon. And on those winter trips, I remember snow up to my eyeballs when they were only 36 inches from the ground. The consistent glittery white winter blankets muffling the cantankerous rattle of a hardened working class city. And all the people I met when they came out to shovel their sidewalks where greeting passers-by was not just a courtesy but a communal celebration of life in this landscape. I fell in love with that incredible weather and spirit in contrast to home in the Mid-South. And I fell in love with the ice.

I remember discovering this game of power and balance, precision and speed. Where these uniformed spirits would soar through the fog of sweat on a frozen horizon with a grace and control that challenged my youthful ideas of brute physical force. The Chicago Blackhawks became my first favorite professional sports team. And they’ve always been my home team in my home away from home.

And now they are the Stanley Cup Champions.

I miss you Chitown. Congratulations to the Blackhawks and all their fans, everywhere.

Nuccio DiNuzzo, Chicago Tribune / June 9, 2010

Posted: June 10th, 2010 | Author: Frankendesign | No Comments »