save ferris

One of my absolute favorite movies of all time is Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.  I love the idea of playing hooky with my friends for one day. I love each and every place Ferris visits. I love the entire City of Chicago. Quite honestly, I believe it’s the penultimate bittersweet movie for the way I am feeling in this current pandemic.

If you need a refresher: A sunny day for a high school senior (school is still in session) … he sneaks out and does EVERYTHING I want to do right now…. goes to a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, eats at a nice restaurant, walks through the Art Institute, takes in the beautiful view from the top of the Sears Tower, witnesses booming economic activity at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, relaxes in a hot tub, swims in a pool, sings and marches in an energetic and crowded parade, walks around downtown Chicago, and just generally enjoys laughter, conversation and the company of his friends.

I am enjoying being authentically me. I have my health, the health of my family, safety, security, a job, groceries, a cozy bed … but man, I am nostalgic for all these places and events we usually are fortunate enough to experience each and every summer. A Ferris Bueller Chicago sightseeing day would really be awesome right now! So would a concert, picnic, playground crawl, a drive-in movie, beer garden, dog park, theatrical performance, anything semi-adventurous! 

But I guess the point of the movie is summarized by the iconic line “life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”   And thankfully, we have that chance right now; so slow down and look around. Enjoy the life that is right in front of you.  Make fun plans for the future, but don’t wish away the present. Life is happening here and now.

Do you have any tips for myself or other readers on how you’re coping right now? Are you nostalgic and grateful for past experiences? Are you grieving your 2020 spring and summer plans? Are you soaking in every moment of calm and stillness, enjoying permission to just be with yourself? Are you lonely? Are you scared? Are you annoyed with your shelter-in-place roommates? Are you taking it day by day?