20 Months

20 months to the day that Cosmo crossed the rainbow bridge, I was mugged on the streets of Chicago. I was in my own neighborhood, just a few blocks from home. I fought and ran after him even after the fact. This happened on a busy street and me screaming to stop him and the words help prompted not one person to help me. When I could no longer keep up (lost sight of him after a block and a half), I stopped and quickly realized all that was taken from me. The absolute worst part was my Mom was on the phone with me when it happened and she could hear me screaming the entire time - helpless to help me. 

There were a few lessons I've learned from this situation:

• You must call 911 in order to get your ID early replaced. And yes, to file an insurance claim.
• The cops in the city of Chicago - no matter how many of them are on the same street where this crime occurred, cannot help you because, as the 911 operator told me, have no idea why they are there.
• Always have a second phone. If I didn't have one I would not have been able to start the process of cancelling all my financial stuff and recovering my ID, etc. as quickly as I could
• You think you know exactly what you'll do in this situation when it happens to you, and now I know you will forget all of that as it is happening. 
• No matter how secure you think your belongings are, if they want them, they will find. way to take them.
• You'll still be shaking the next day (and won't get much sleep)
• You'll avoid the area for fear it may happen again.
• You won't walk - even to work - afraid it will happen again.
• You'll feel guilty that you're being dramatic when all that was taken was your purse, wallet, phone #1, $150 in cash, hairbrush, house keys, hand sanitizer, lotion, sunglasses, and an extra mask. 
• Your faith in humanity will be tested.

I always thought if Cosmo was with me or I was on the phone (through my ear buds) that no one would approach me. I was wrong. 

Sweet 16

Yesterday would have been Cosmo's 16th birthday. I sure miss him. Here's my favorite Cosmo birthday picture.

Cosmo would have gotten a kick out of my celebrating his birthday at the inaugural NASCAR Chicago Street Race. I've never been to a NASCAR race, but it has been on my bucket list for quite some time. So, the race being a mile from home seemed like fate. I bought my tickets back in March and admit this is going to be the highlight of my summer. 

I got on the train early Saturday morning (to save my legs and feet as I. knew I'd be walking miles over the weekend). 

I came prepared. Or so I thought. I knew that rain was a possibility, so had my rain poncho. Had a small, clear wristlet packed with phones, extra chargers, hand wipes, masks, and sunscreen (which I applied before I left the house0. I also had my ear protection and sunglasses. 

I arrived at Grant park and quickly realized we were going to have to go through a few checkpoints before I could cross the bridge to gain access to my seats. 

I had to walk about a mile to get to my area. I bought an upgraded ticket package which gave me access to a tent, food, drinks, and an opportunity to hear a former NASCAR champion, and current broadcaster, Dale Jarrett tell us his thoughts about the Chicago race and his career.

 I watched both the Xfinity qualifying, Cup practice, and Cup qualifying. 

Finally, the Xfinity race.

It was fun until lightning entered the area. From there, we had to evacuate the park. the race didn't finish and the winner was declared the following morning.

I was looking forward to Sunday morning, as I had.a call time to go on a pit road tour and have my picture taken. But, Mother Nature had other plans. Record rainfall cancelled that opportunity, the finish of the Xfinity Race, and delayed the Cup race. 

Sunday was miserable from a weather perspective.

We eventually got started. But at that point, I was wet (never dried out) and a bit chilled. But boy was it fun!

A Kiwi won the race, so it made it feel a bit more like an F1 race. 

Regardless, it was worth the miserable conditions to experience history for NASCAR. And you can't beat that skyline.