Michelle

I was born and raised here. I love it here. This is my hometown. I've lived here all my life. Never moved away.

My mom, my dad, everybody– my whole family is from here. I have five siblings. I'm number four out of six.

Nieces and nephews?

Let's start from the beginning. My oldest brother, he's got one... there's so many...

Granparents?

They have a house down the street that we were raised in.

Have you ever considered moving? Branching out or getting a fresh start somewhere new?

Of course. But no. I just love North Chicago.

I don't think I would be comfortable somewhere else, I guess I don't know. This is home.

What’s that mean to you? What three words would you use to describe "home?"

For me, home is love. And family. Love, peace, and family. I have love here. And I have peace here, and all my family. I'm not gonna move. I mean, I have relatives that have moved and I’ve visited– but there's no place like home. My mom is here. My daughter is here. My grandkids are here.

Other than your family, what are you most proud of?

Other than my family!? I guess I'd say myself. That survived. I survived– just life.

Name one of the big obstacles; something you've gotten though. Survived.

Death. My dad. Thirty-four years ago. He passed away a week before my daughter was born. She'll be 35 in November. But it's still...

There's nothing quite as life-changing as losing a parent.

I pray to God– I know she isn't going to live forever, but I don't know what I would do without my mom, you know?

Death and dying brings about all sorts of complications. Is there something you haven't told or said to your mom that you’d want to before... ?

I love her. Seriously. I can't tell her that enough.

I was just on the phone with her right now– and you witnessed that. And I didn't tell her I love her. And I always do so. You threw me off my game. Right now, I'm like: I'm gonna call her back. As soon as you leave I'm gonna call her!

For some families that's a really uncomfortable thing to do. Were you brought up that way?

Oh yeah. My grandmother is from Jackson, Mississippi. Very spiritual woman. Very spiritual.

What do you say to someone who wasn’t raised that way, or for whom saying ‘I love you’ doesn’t come easy?

Do it. Just say I love you. Like I'm talking to you right now: "Hey, how you doing? Hi. I love you. I'll see you later." It's natural. It comes naturally to me.

When's the last time that you had to say something or tell someone something that you weren't comfortable with, but you did anyway?

Last week.

Relative or non-relative?

Both. It was somethin' different, but it was pertaining to the same thing, if that makes sense. Same issue, different people.

Who are you least likely to be honest with?

Least likely to be honest with? [much nervous laughter] This is being recorded, right? I plead the fifth.

When's the last time someone came to you with a "truth" you needed to be told?

Uh, this morning. My my significant other tells me all the time. Yeah, he's very straightforward. Blunt. Honest. [laughter]

Are you appreciative of that. or do you accept it with some reservation?

Both. I am appreciative to him because he's just being honest, you know? I would rather for you to be honest, than tell me what you think I want to hear. No, tell me the truth.

When's the last time you lied?

This morning. No, I'm just kidding! [uncontrolled giggling]

Okay, no. The last time? Probably yesterday. Maybe this morning? [laughter] You're asking me questions that I've never even thought...

I lied this morning. [laughter] I'm sorry!

What's the last thing you learned?

Oh my. Life is really really short. Seriously.

Okay: life is short, money is not an obstacle, and you're gonna go for it. What would you do first?

Run up and down the beach butt-naked! [uncontrolled laughter] I don't know!

But wait; that requires no money!

No money at all, right!? [laughter] …But we were talking about the new beach right here...

I'm pretty sure you're the first person that's ever come up with that response…

But(t) let’s switch gears: You’ve been asked to write a brochure, advertising North Chicago. What would it say on the front cover?

Family. For me, it's all family.

I would just say to please come hang out with us. That's what I would say. We're not bad people, and North Chicago is home.

This conversation has been edited and condensed.