Thursday Morning: Chicagoland

I’m making a pilgrimage.

Good morning from the northwest side of Chicago. I’m in the city as of yesterday morning. There have already been shenanigans with old friends. And I’m scheduled to have more shenanigans today and tomorrow. The band will be rehearsing the next two nights. It’s a ruckus here, a verifiable ruckus.

And, yes, I brought the computer. I want to FaceTime with my family back in Virginia and such like that. I will purchase a disposable digital camera for the other photographic needs should those arise.

We’re getting some rain this morning. Midwestern rain. So, there’s thunder and lightening, but no wind as of yet. The tornados happened far south of Chicago.

Lordy, but I have missed this city, these friends. These people were my life for almost 15 years. They are like family. I am staying at the Harris McVetty Hospitality House. Doug and Carol have established an inn for their beloveds, their children, their extended friendship circle. It’s amazing and warm. I’m so glad to be here.

Today’s Franciscan Nugget: “Day Fourteen - The First Way of Service - Prayer - Tertiaries seek to live in an atmosphere of praise and prayer. We aim to be constantly aware of God's presence, so that we may indeed pray without ceasing. Our ever deepening devotion to the indwelling Christ is a source of strength and joy. It is Christ's love that inspires us to service, and strengthens us for sacrifice.”

Once upon a time, after a gig at Duke’s Place in Chicago, a friend came up to me and said, “I get it! It’s like you’re praying as you’re playing your music!” Her realization affirmed what I already knew to be true. Making music is a form of prayer. In my life, song and strings have always been an avenue for encountering the divine.

This trip to Chicago is a kind of pilgrimage for me. Making music is my spiritual discipline. I will hopefully rekindle holy friendships.

And it puts Lent in a certain context. Lent is the great fast. Of course it is, but it is not The Depressive Season. Joy lasts throughout because we fast knowing the end of the story. Even in Holy Week, we live toward the end of the story.

Here are the concert dates and times once more:

3/16, 6:00pm Irish American Heritage Center, Chicago

3/16, 10:00pm Chief O’Neill’s Pub, Chicago

3/17, 12:30pm SPACE, Evanston

3/17, 6:00pm Lizard’s Liquid Lounge, Chicago