The Windy City.
The Sears Tower. The Blues Brothers. Da Bears.
And, of course, my beloved Cubs. (Ironically, I’ve been to Chicago four times in the last year and have seen not a single Cubs’ games. Something intrinsically wrong with that. Not with being a Cubs’ fan, but with being a fan and not seeing a game. Poor scheduling on my part, I suppose.) Was in town when they announced Dusty Baker, a guy I like, was fired. Should have at least let them know I was in town in case they wanted to interview me. to be the next manager.

But I digress…

Some youth leaders invited me to come in for 3 days of different chats with teens and coaches.

My first night I spoke to some energetic junior high students at St. Celestine’s. They had so much energy; they wore me out! A side note: I did this talk wearing a way- too- small White Sox jersey under my shirt because I lost a bet with the parish youth minister, Kim McMillan. (I let my Cubs would heat her White Sox in their cross-town series this summer. A painful loss!)

I got to speak to teens three more times in the next 2 days. Kim Madonia had me come out to her (two) parishes.

(Kim Madonia and me)

Two groups were junior high students in the Catholic schools. The last group was about 20 high school students and I really enjoyed their company. Kim took me to a great Oriental restaurant called Chi Tung. Awesome!

I also spoke to 2 groups of coaches while I was in the area. This was a treat for me, because one of the things I miss most, in my post Katrina world, is my direct (limited) involvement in athletics. We talked about the challenges of coaching with Christian values and how that really is counter-cultural.

It was a great way to start October–even if the Cubs aren’t playing.

Oh. Kim? Just wait till next year. You’ll look cute in Cubbie blue.