Chicago

A Story by Kathryn Smith

I fell in love again

All things go

We had our mindset

All things know

You had to find it

All things go

To my sister, who keeps telling me to be quiet, or shut up.

You're going to miss my voice when I am gone.

To my father, who keeps telling people how great his eldest daughter is, and how wonderful of a teacher she is...

You're going to miss me when I'm gone, and then you'll realize your other daughter is a teacher too.

To my brother, who is close with my sister but never talks to me.

You're going to miss me and my funny accents you get annoyed by.

To my mother who bought New York style bagels to celebrate my brothers return, and cooked my sister a huge meal to honor her, will you honor me when I return too? I ask, but you complain. The good thing is, I already know you will miss me for certain.

To my relatives who laughed and made jokes at me this thanksgiving for not having a boyfriend with me...

If you only knew.

This May I will be in Chicago.

I will be heading to the airport to fly away to Ireland.

and there across the sea is love.

Lots of love.

Hope.

Care.

Humor.

Dreams.

Happiness.

There is a beautiful dress somewhere in a shop .

A dress that a sweet Irishman wants to buy for me.

There are people there who will make me feel whole.

Welcomed.

Cherished.

The opposite of what I sometimes feel at home.

They will applaud my accomplishments.

They will see me as a teacher.

They will accept me for who I am; flaws and all.

They will cheer me on even at my worst.

They will no doubt make me smile.

I'm ready to go to Chicago.

© 2015 Kathryn Smith

Author's Note

My Review

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Reviews

dan

On the road to Chicago there are many road signs indicating how many miles to the Emerald Isle. I was the middle one of three children; my brother got everything because he was first born, my sister was doted on because she was the baby. My Christmas stocking wasn't empty, but lacking. This is all too common. Parents don't notice when they are leaving a child out in the child's eyes and heart. Sometimes it takes distance to remind family how much they miss you. I hope you enjoy Ireland and make sure you try that dress on before accepting! Good Luck! take care...dan

Posted 9 Years Ago

Droll Prole

I feel the pain in this, hope the eggs aren't all in the one basket so to speak. I wish for the person in this story to learn to be strong within themselves and not rely too much on others to make them feel good.

Posted 9 Years Ago

ANTO

Its a beautiful dream to hold in your heart Kathryn.
The poem in its (soon-to-be-host-country) green shows how much you are looking forward to the journey of your lifetime.
Being taken for granted is a horrible feeling. I wish you well. I hope to meet up with you both in Belfast.
:))

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Thank you Anto! :) I hope to meet you as well! Looking forward to it for sure! I'm going to give you.. read more

Coyote Poetry

You have some nice plans. Good to travel when you are young. I like the story and the hope in the words.Thank you for sharing the hopeful thoughts and time with your family.
Coyote

Posted 9 Years Ago

Robert

Sometimes family automatically assume other family members know they love them and fail to express thier love. Sometimes it only takes a word or two, I love you, I'm proud of you, ill.miss you, your day will come, your beautiful, your smart, etc. I'm sure deep down they think these thoughts and just dont express them to you. While you are gone and when you return I'm sure you will then know. In the meantime I'm certain you will meet someone that will tell you and show you, your worth.
"Your life is worth much more than gold". (Bob Marley)

Posted 9 Years Ago

9 Years Ago

Aw thank you Robert. I have a friend in Ireland who I am visiting! Very excited! xx

AaronFreitas

I love this write Kathryn. I love the honesty and the way you spill your emotions out into this wonderful piece. You see it in almost every family that has multiple children. There is always the one that can do nothing wrong, the one mom and dad are most proud of. And there is always a child that is almost left behind emotionally. A child that doesn't get the same attention and same respect from the family. I would have flown to your Thanksgiving dinner and pretended to be your boyfriend just to ease things for you... kind of like the Enterprise car rental commercial if you've seen it haha. Live life, find love at your pace and find the right person that deserves your heart. You are beautiful the way you are and everything about you. I love your write :) Have fun on your trip when you go and good luck finding that sweet Irishman :)