Concerts at the Park

A repost. As originally published on EV Mail News for the week of August 15-21, 2011.
http://www.evmailnews.com/eastern-visayas-mail-digital-issue-of-august-15-21-2011


One of the many reasons why I fell in love with Chicago is its "obsession" with having well-maintained, beautiful and accessible public parks everywhere in the city. The fact that I can sit down and relax at these parks with no one to bother me and with free concerts to go with it's simply perfect.

I love the clear skies, the ample grass to stretch out on and the clean air. Summers are extra special in Chicago because we only get to enjoy this season for at least four months in a year. Thousands of tourists flock to the Windy City to participate in the endless enjoyment of activities. The park alone is more than enough for me.

I'm very thankful that I work near the Millennium Park, one of the newest, sleekest and most modern parks in the city. Located in the heart of downtown "Loop," it's bustling with energy and people. Did I already mention the free concerts? How I love those too!

There are classical, the opera, the symphony orchestra performances, there's jazz, African and Latin American music, and these are only few of the wide array of choices in concerts we have here each week. To top it all, we get to enjoy these wonderful events until later into the night since daylight is much longer in summer. People are still out enjoying their picnics, outdoor gatherings, or just simply lounging around even at 8 in the evening.

And let me tell you about these concerts and performances at the park. They are never mediocre. The artists and the musicians are the crème de la crème. The orchestra and the bands are the best in the industry. They may not possess the celebrity status afforded to those who are popular in Hollywood and yet to the hundreds of concert-goers in the park and for those who know what good music is, these performers are "rock stars."

Every show and each performance is teeming with skill, talent and heart. It's impossible for the audience not to be moved by such talent and vigor in front of them. No matter that it's for free. Still, these are world-class performances and a display of extraordinary talents.

My "backyard" and my "lunch room" in the Millennium Park, as I call it, is just a block away from my office. Every break time I get, I go straight to the park and find me a bench to sit, relax, eat my lunch, read my book, watch people, or just simply enjoy a gorgeous Chicago weather. Most of the time, it gets so difficult to go back to work after an hour of pure lunch bliss. Oh well, I just tell myself that I get to do it again the next day and until summer is over.

It's a tremendous feeling to be able to appreciate the beauty of creation in nature. I've never felt like this before especially when I was younger. I felt I was invincible back then and that I can never do anything wrong. I was so selfish it makes me want to slap my teenage self right now. I also used to think 40 years old was old! But now, 65 years old is looking pretty good.

This new-found appreciation I have for all blessings might be stemming out of "getting older syndrome" but how I wish I've always felt this way. It's almost unbearable to think of all those wasted years when I didn't see life with these "renewed" and "grateful" eyes. Even the simple chirping of birds, the soft rain, the trees and the flowers, a nice weather, and especially on sunny days, they all make me so glad and thankful to be alive.

Am I turning into a wimp and a sentimental dreamer? I hope not. I guess I'm only beginning to realize how much I've missed by not appreciating and loving every moment of life. The Bible says all God's works and creation are marvelous. All that comes from Him is good. So there's no reason for me not to regard those things with a positive attitude.

"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened." -Romans 1:19-21

Now, when I look at nature and enjoy all of God's creation, I'd like to believe that I see God's face. It may not be a literal face but I know that He has His "stamp" on it, and most especially, He has His image in all of humanity. And how do I know this for sure? Because He says so in the Scriptures. He created man in His own image and through all things that He has made, people have absolutely no reason nor any excuse to say that we can't know that He exists.

I may be turning into a "wimp" in the eyes of some people but I wouldn't trade these real, heart-warming feelings of appreciation, contentment and thankfulness that God has allowed me to experience. I might be a wimp but I'd rather be a blessed, contented wimp than an ungrateful, thankless one. And maybe, just maybe, my appreciation and enjoyment of all simple things might be contagious.