We cross winding rivers 100 miles from our Chicago concrete urban space. Bright city lights fade as Midwestern neighbors and Wisconsin loved ones social distance. Faded rustic farmhouses dot our horizon. Green pastures calm our pandemic angst.

Towering maples and oak trees guide us along cobbled roads. Our boys run through open fields surrounded by lake and creeks. They catch their first fish. They marvel at how Wisconsin lakes melted thousands of years ago from glaciers at the end of the last ice age.

We breathe in the fresh Wisconsin air on July 4th, 2020. We walk along wild dandelions and gather fresh berries with cousins. We refuel as the sunsets. Our magical bonfire burns bright.

The full moon glows above us as crickets chirp. Eventually, owls lull us to sleep.

Hours later, hummingbirds sound our wake up call. We glide along damp grass toward the peaceful pond. Our boys spend hours crawling toward turtles and jumping with frogs.

Thanks to our cousins and family, we enjoy a lovely day on the water. Our nine-year-old rocks the knee board for the first time.

His seven-year-old brother beams from the inner tube as his older cousin keeps him safe. Their confidence soars with the exhilaration and euphoria of their special experience. We treasure time spent with family of every generation.

We savor the joy of our time in Wisconsin. We wish farewell to our cousins who live in towns named after former Native Americans inhabitants. Fun fact, Milwaukee translates to the “rich and beautiful land” by the Potawatomi.

As we drive back to Chicago, we talk about how fur traders and Native American converged. Fur traders upset the eco system as they hunted animals.

Today, we face new challenges. We recharge to pivot, evolve with change and do our best.

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