The flowers… oh, the flowers. I stopped for every flower that caught my attention and snapped a photo. I watched as bees did their work... buzzing around the street side beds and city parks. 

The music… oh, the sweet music. I found myself discovering new live music venues on a weekly basis. And returned to some old haunts for the locals that fill Chicago with charm. Street festivals, Sofar Sounds, iconic venues, speakeasies… Thank you for allowing me to dance to my heart’s content. 

I discovered the art of sourdough and had fun with the stretch and folds… as though it’s playdough for adults. I gifted my neighbors, family and friends my sourdough treats, discovering another language of love – feeding people. 

I ate meals at my dining room table as the sun streamed into my peaceful dining room… something I hadn’t done in over a decade. I focused on mindful meals and thoughtful, leisurely consumption. I took my taste buds on weekly adventures at some of the most amazing restaurants in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and, of course, New York City.

I slept like a “regular person” for the first time… ever? Decades on every shift of every day of the sun had my circadian clock more confused than a chicken with its head detached. And I discovered what I knew already to be true: I’m an unapologetic morning person! As the sun rises, my entire existence is lighting up like fireworks. And as the sun sets, I’m ready to hibernate. 

And I spent hours moving my body. In 2017, I made a conscious decision to change my lifestyle with the ultimate goal of living a healthy and strong life until I reached 100. Now, the goal is 120. The decision I made all those years ago is the most important decision I’ve made in my entire life. Movement, nutrition, hydration, mental health, joy, gratitude, passion, and service – they are my north star.

At the gym, I’ve been hitting personal records all year. I’m so proud of the strength training program I built for myself and the progress I’ve seen come from it. I’ve worked on my mobility, agility and balance programs to ensure that as I work toward the goal of turning 120 years old, I’m doing it with a focus on overall strength and wellness. I’ve walked hundreds of miles. Bitsy (my beloved ‘Rona bicycle purchase) and I have biked hundreds of miles through the city of Chicago, along the Lake, on the 606… and anywhere else we accidentally found ourselves.