Tuesday, November 13, 2012

(ct)a train

The weekend before Halloween my dad, step-mother, and little (half-)brother paid a visit to their long-lost daughter/step-daughter/half-sister, in the Midwest.  I was worried it was going to be a frantic weekend, considering my husband and I had moved into our new apartment about 72 hours before their plane landed, but it was the complete opposite.

My dad was in town for a panel on Billy Strayhorn, the topic of his first book, Lush Life.  I get such a pang of daughterly pride when I see my dad talk about one of his books.  I spent a lot of time growing up at his events -- book signings, lectures, readings, panels, you name it -- and I've never stopped loving them.  It's just such a surreal feeling.  There's your dad.  There's this amazing piece of work that has his heart, soul, sweat, and tears in it.  And there's a room full of people that came to see him.  How can you not be proud?

Here are few pictures from their visit, in case you want to see!

 Checking out our reflections in the bean and jellyfish at the Shedd Aquarium

 Herman the pumpkin (my handiwork) and a quick CTA ride with my brother

And finally, my dad, the talented David Hajdu


And yes, my family did make it out of Chicago in time to avoid Hurricane Sandy.