Chicago's O'Hare Airport; named after a WWII hero

By 1:00 TUESDAY, everyone but Jackie had (safely and flawlessly) arrived. WHEW!

First priority:  Get everyone a Chicago hot dog

Next priority:  Get my Mother and take everyone to my favorite deli; arrange for the waiter to bring a small birthday cake

When everyone sitting around us joined in, I decided they should know they were not just singing to anyone...but to a 90 year old who doesn't look (or act it), to boot.  Stand up Mom and take the bow you deserve!

My Mother is the first to tell you:  She doesn't dye her hair, and she doesn't use a walker! She doesn't even wear glasses.

Sitting at the table next to us was a friend I had not seen in over 45 years.  Her sister was in my Sister's class, and our Mothers were friends.  I include her picture because this story is typical of our neighborhood...and all Chicago neighborhoods of the time.  Their stability made them more like small towns within the City where everyone knew everyone else. They were defined by religion, ethnicity, and race. Until recently, Chicago was the most segregated City in the country. 

We dash from dinner to get Jackie.

Our group...and our joy...is complete.  I take them to see the house where I first lived as a married Lady.  We were able to get inside because the teacher to whom I sold it still lived there.  It was a deeply moving experience for me, and consequently for the others.

But we had better get to sleep!  Tomorrow is not just another day. Thus begins the story of 5 Hat Ladies in the same room (yes, that also means in 1 bathroom).

Believe it or not, this arrangement worked PERFECTLY throughout.We stay the first two nights at The Wyndam Hotel in Glenview, near my Mother's place in Northbrook (also the home of Allstate Insurance).

Jackie before lights out

Jackie (and Mimi) WEDNESDAY morning.  Remember this picture....

While a girlfriend picks up my Mother, The Ladies and I get into the car lent by another and catch the landmarks of my childhood on the way downtown. We first pass Niles West High School in Skokie (yes, the town made famous in the 70's when the Nazis wanted to march)...where I was a Guidance Counselor and John taught Physical Education and coached gymnastics and soccer

If you look REAL closely in the middle, you will see a white column.  This house has four big columns.  I saw it as a ten year old on my way to day camp.  Those columns "called" to me.  I was destined to be a Southerner from that moment on.

My house on Christiana Avenue.  We lived on the first floor and had a fixed up basement (which often flooded...as did all Chicago basements); the upstairs was rental property.  Three neighborhoods went to my high school; mine was right in the middle...location and economically.  All my clubsisters moved in by the time we were in 5th grade and remain my friends today. They're coming in June 2011 for our Reunion. Our parents remained in these houses for 30+ years.

A group of six of us walked the half mile to Von Steuben, starting in 7th grade since, as the first wave of baby boomers, we had outgrown the grammar school.  Some of the fellas would join us, forging life long friendships as well. When the weather was too cold, we would put on pants under our skirts, then take them off when we got to school. We never took the city bus and having a car was unheard of.  Even Mothers didn't drive, for the most part. I loved my high school years and determined I'd be an English teacher, then Guidance Counselor, back then. It was voted the best public school in Chicago, and it was.

We also drove past the park where we hung out, the swim club where we belonged, the movie theater where we went every Saturday after our club meetings, then took the Outer Drive (along Lake Shore Drive/Lake Michigan) down to The Drake Hotel for my Mother's High Tea birthday celebration.

The Drake Hotel represents old world elegance.  It sits at the beginning of The Magnificent Mile, at the bend of Oak Street Beach.  There are at least eight equally classic hotels in downtown Chicago.  They were the site of all the bar mitzvahs I went to as a teenager and weddings as a young adult.  The years have been good to them...as they have been to all of Chicago.  (More on that later)

See what I mean!

We await the arrival of the other guests, including the Birthday girl

My Mother is flanked by two of my childhood friends (as well as a first class tea tray)!

The 13 guest also include colleagues from Niles West, more clubsisters, and special friends.  They have all met my Mother over the years; everyone always did

All were asked to bring a birthday card and include something they remember about my Mother.  She holds an engraved photo album, sent by Evelyn Squires, which now holds pictures from her birthday celebrations

Mimi made a scrapbook illustrating The Hat Ladies' history using pictures of the four Ladies in attendance 

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My clubsisters since 5th grade

A neighbor and co workers from Niles West High School

The party's over for the hatsisters...but just for a few hours...