Things I'll Miss

Listen, I've spent a lot of time the past few months complaining about my current apartment: the visits by police, the shouting neighbors, the meth abuse, the loud music, the frozen pipes and the intolerably chill conditions.

But what I haven't told you is this: when I first found this place almost two years ago, I'd looked at more than a couple dozen units around the city before I saw this one.

As soon as I walked through the front gate, I pretty much made my decision. From the large Spanish courtyard complete with trees, a well-kept garden, sprawling ivy and sundry critters, to the extra "security" of having a gate within a gate... it seemed like a touch of the rural smack-dab in the middle of a busy city.

Add to that the apartment itself was bigger than my previous abode — and also more charming, and cheaper — and it really wasn't much of a question for me.

It was perfect.

Returning "home" yesterday to the chirping birds and the eager squirrels was a bittersweet reminder of the one thing I'll miss.

Two apartments ago, I lived across the street from a large forest preserve (where I'd often go jogging). This "current" place has the aforementioned courtyard which is — quite literally — a breath of fresh air. But my next place is surrounded by brick and mortar on all sides, with only a small yard out back.

It makes me sick to think there are no guarantees that this place will necessarily be any better than the last.

Here's to hoping.