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As we move through Spring in ways uncharted, social media reminded me of Aprils ago. Ten years ago, post the 2008 market crash, everything was a mess and we persevered.
And that’s how it all started. I was standing in the kitchen making pancakes for Lilly. I had XRT’s Opening Day Broadcast on the radio. Brehmer said, “coming up after the break the band Everest will be performing”. Everest had just been on the WGN Morning Show and a couple people texted me that the lead singer was wearing my hat on air. And I’m flipping pancakes and talking to an infant and listening to Everest perform live from Yakzies. My husband had the day off and was still sleeping. And after the set Lin comes in and says something like, “I’ve been coming to Opening Day for xx years and I have been hosting the WXRT Opening day broadcast for xx years so why does a guy from Los Angeles have the coolest piece of Cubs gear here?” And I swung around with my pajamas and spatula to my infant in her high chair and let out the first of what would be many expletives that have escaped my mouth in front of her. “Lilly he’s talking about my f#$&ing hat”, I screamed. “Lin Brehmer is talking about my (again cursing) hat” Like a raving lunatic I rush into the bedroom still screaming, still holding a spatula, relaying this most glorious moment to my sleepy husband and he turned over and asked, “Do you have a hat made for Lin?” “No”, I replied. “Well, you better go downstairs and make one.” And I did. I went down to my sewing machine and made a hat just for Lin. And my husband got out of bed and I put the spatula down and stopped swearing. And we packed carsick Lilly in the car to take her from Morton Grove to Wrigleyville which is the perfect distance for carsick. Glenn pulled in front of Yakzies, I wriggled my way inside and I dropped off a hat for Lin to one of the XRT staff. Lin was on a break so I never got a chance to thank him in person. So thanks Lin , Jeff , Jestton and Glenn for everything. Recollecting this today brings back fond thoughts of fresh air, Cubbies, Yakzies, Opening Day, baseball in the wide open, music, live performances, studio performances, Chicago institutions like WGN, their hilarious morning cast, XRT, that auditory beacon (both of which raised me), getting into your car on a whim, busting into a bar already packed to the brim, shoulder to shoulder with whoever. Grateful for many moments and hopeful for so many more. Thanks for listening. Be safe.
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Well written, thorough article. By the time I was my daughter Lilly's age I was two years latchkey. Summers were out of the house all day until dark. By nine I had already had my bike stolen from Gompers Park pool. During the school year I would come home, do my homework by myself, not turn the TV on (save for one or two ABC After School Specials that scared the daylights out of me). We walked to and from school every day doing all sorts of crazy and ridiculous things good and bad that resulted in being kids, humans, learning, growing, laughing, crying, spitting, jumping, running, screaming, getting dirty, being dirty. I was bullied, I bullied. All the things you couldn't do in front of an adult that have made us better adults. I know this, because of the people I am still connected to from that time. We were never bored because we were left to use our imagination to keep us going. We were allowed to or we had to. There were no schedules yet we played, made up plays, ran races, hung out at the park, tackled each other during unorganized sports and got our homework done all in an afternoon. That's what happens without adulty-safe structured ideas, endless organized activities, numerous devices and outings stacked on outings, stacked on outings - the brain thinks for itself, especially a child's. It has time to absorb, reflect, redirect, rebound...think. My parents exposed me to amazing, incredible experiences as a child, but the best times I had were when no parents were around.
Wrapping our children in bubble wrap or warping our children with bubble wrap? These actions are not only censoring potential but censoring expression, resilience, future and I struggle with that. The creativity, ideas, remarks, struggles and triumphs I see from kids during a class or workshop or party will never stop astounding me. That's why I love it so much. THE FRAGILE GENERATION: FROM REASON.COM I don't know what took me so long, Probably friends of mine do. I tend to have a lot of things going at one time. A LOT. I need to. Apparently I need to have so much going on I am nearly toppling over in order to not topple over.
I notice it in the way I teach. In my adult Learn to Sew class students can make whatever they want. I remember the first time I just stopped in the middle of a class; in the middle of making a bath robe, tote bag, lounge pants, children's leggings and an apron - surrounded by an audience - bouncing around like a pinball from pattern to pattern. I just stopped and laughed and asked myself, "Why does my brain want to do this?" I don't know. I do enjoy it though. Maybe we will find out. I will also be sharing sewing tips and techniques, collaborations and projects. Sew Much for That, Alison |
alison selivon, Author
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April 2020
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