This morning I flew through Chicago's O'Hare airport on my way from Portland, Maine to San Jose, California.  My chances of seeing anyone I know in one of the world's busiest airports are next to none.  But the surroundings are familiar, and some of the service people are familiar.  And together, the surroundings and the service personnel make O'Hare feel like home.

I had this same feeling on a recent Saturday in downtown Chicago.  Full of tourists and now residents, the Loop is not a place I am likely to run into anyone I know.  Sadly, even in my condo building where we are all still new, I am unlikely to see anyone terribly familiar.  But I step outside and the streets and shops and buildings are all where they were the last time I was on the sidewalk.  The same woman is at the Chanel counter at Macy's.  The same pair staff the Intelligensia coffee (tea for me) counter.  The same masseuse is at Whole Foods on Saturday.  The same guy makes the sandwiches at Au Bon Pain.  Their faces are far more familiar to me than those I see on the streets.  And yes, they make downtown Chicago feel familiar. And what feels familiar feels like home.

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