Transient Chicago

Tori and Ella

David, Tori & Ella

Ella, Tori and "Horse"

Ella (in stroller), Tori, Heather, David, Cheryl, Jeff (taking photo)
Luxembourg Gardens, Paris vacation 2005

Cheryl, Jeff, Tori

So here we are faced with another void in our city lives. Our dear friends Jeff, Cheryl and Tori Hudson will be moving to Minneapolis. Jeff has been searching for a job since the fall when his position was eliminated at Equity Office. We rejoice that he has found work with Target corporation, and we LOVE Target--but it will take their family from us and we are very saddened by that. I've waited awhile to blog about this so hopefully I'm not surprising many with this news.

You see, we often talk about our "family" and mean our friends in Chicago that our part of our church family. Most of us are here in the city, nowhere close to any blood relatives, and we rely upon each other to fill that family role. We babysit each other's children, and spend time with each other like family would. We live about one mile from the Hudson's and Tori and Ella love to play with each other (they're about 1 1/2 years or so apart in age). As you can see from the photos, Ella really looks up to Tori as she would an older sister, letting her "lead" the play and use all of her toys, babies and books without protest. All children do not get this treatment.

Things are moving fast for them since Target is relocating them. Their condo is already listed (before you ask, no--we can't buy it--unfortunately), and right now they are in Minneapolis looking for a new home. Jeff starts work at the end of February, and depending on their house hunt/sale Cheryl and Tori will not be too far behind him in leaving.

About one and half years ago, I lost my dear friend Carmen and her family to Connecticut. Before that, the Hanson's, before that The Menges's and many, many others along the way. Why does the city have to be so transient? In this day and age --even outside the city--do people ever die in the same house they were born? I guess the Walton's era was over a long time ago.

I'm sure we will adjust to this new change, as we have with others. But that doesn't mean we have to like it any better than we do. Ella keeps telling me she's going to Minnesota--by herself. I said, what will you do there? She says, "Drink soda!" She also seems to be fearful that everyone we know will move to Minneapolis. But we'll work through this with her too. Our upcoming visit to California should help.