As I take my last look upon what was once a thriving, bustling sandwich shop. I feel a peaceful numbness. Not regret, melancholy or pain - just a long overdue need for change. I needed To take one last look, one last walk on this hollowed ground my father built from nothing and turned it into what he would affectionately call Taurus #3 at 8534 south Stony Island. There are a lot of memories in these walls, many triumphs and tragedies as well as a lot of love. No matter how I feel about what has happened here and what's next for this parcel of land, one thing is for sure- Taurus belongs here. I can still hear my father's voice bouncing around these tattered walls. I still see the faces of generations of loyal Taurus customers packed in this tiny little spot, to get some ice-cream, a Hoagy, a Steak, pop and some chips. Sometimes it would seem that the whole Southside would come through this tiny spot on any given day. I still feel a connection to all the people who have worked here, and how Taurus Flavors helped them. This place means a lot to south-siders and meant even more to my dad. This will be my last chance to put the pass behind me and move on to better things. my last chance to say goodbye to my dad and the legacy he left behind. This is no eulogy or a sad walk down memory lane. This is a celebration of the future, and what's to come. It took 53 years to get here, and one unfortunate circumstance to make a change. Maybe the lesson is, we can't create a future until we make peace and say goodbye to the past. Or maybe that not all bad things have to stay that way.
Taurus will rebuild, and we will rejoice in its rebirth. Every once and awhile we, as people, have to step back regroup and start over again to gain perspective and peace of mind. My father ,in his mind, felt he could change the world with his dream, Make a difference in the community with a sandwich and some ice cream - and he did . Every person I talked to that has come through Taurus Flavors was inspired by my father's dream, learned from his drive, and understood what benefits hard work can bring and how rewarding it is. Maybe the lesson is no dream is too big or too small. He changed us, he pushed us to be better people, and to take care of one another. That is what serving the community is about. That spirit of good service and good will won't crumble with the demolishing of this building. It will be reborn stronger than before. For me, it's like the time we bought my father a new suit. He was so happy to get that suit. At that time all his suits were old and worn, and it was time for a new one. He said" it has a different fit." Yeah, and it fit nicely. Soon Taurus will get a new suit, and it will fit different but everything you know and love will still be inside. My pops will be looking down from heaven at his new suit with pride. Change doesn't have to be hard, it's just different.
See you soon.
E.P.2nd.
