In no hurry

Driving in a cab today, I was asked how long I’ve lived in Elk Grove Village. I thought about the question for a moment. Not because I didn’t know the answer, but because I wasn’t sure how detailed I needed to get. If I really took the time to think about it, I started living in the Village when I turned four. My parents moved us from a small house in Carpentersville to a small quad on the east side of town. The quad was smaller than our house, but I think it was considered an upgrade because of the area. Carpentersville was fast becoming a rough neighborhood, and my parents wanted to raise their children in a safer environment. The quad became an opportunity for my brothers and I to share a bedroom. I always compared our situation to the “Brady Bunch” boys: the two youngest in a bunk bed, and the oldest in a twin. I remember a short time when my parents let us have the “bigger” room, where we arranged it with the beds side by side.

We stayed in the quad for about three years, when my parents purchased a new home on the west side of town. Many families who lived in the older section of town followed suit. The house was a mansion to me. My brothers and I each had our own rooms, there were two and a half bathrooms, a full basement, and a yard. I went to a different school, but I already had friends at my new institution.

We lived in that house until I was eighteen years old--when my parent's divorced. I went away to college, my father moved to Palatine and my mother to Roselle. My mom became somewhat of a nomad, moving a couple of more times before settling again in Elk Grove. I stayed with her during college and on breaks.

After college, I moved to Arizona (I moved eight times in two years), came back, lived in the city for a year, stayed with my mom in Elk Grove, met my wife, moved to Grayslake, Round Lake Beach, Wrigleyville, and Philadelphia. The only thing that remains a similarity between all of the moves since leaving my childhood home is that everything was temporary.

And then we moved into our home eight years ago. I didn't see the house until the day we arrived. I figured if Cyndi liked it, so would I.

All in all, I've lived in Elk Grove for about 24 of my 39 years. Cyndi is from Elk Grove too, so it just feels right. I'd love to move back to the City, but I'm in no hurry.

I'm in no hurry.