I have been a Bruce Springsteen fan since 1975. The first time I heard Born to Run playing on the car radio that warm September day. I have had mad obsessions at times where all I could do was eat, sleep and drink Bruce. I have seen him in concert 7 times from 1976-2023. The seventh time I will describe below. Just like you I have my favorite songs mostly changing with my moods. Right now, it is Loose Ends, the sax just wails in my mind.

         When Bruce announced his 2023 tour, I was all a gaga, acting crazy. Jim and I talked about going to Oslo, Norway for June 30^th. But that was a pipe dream. Then Bruce announced he was going to play at Little Caesar Arena in Detroit on March 29^th. I tried to get someone to go with me but no takers. I went back and forth about going by myself to the concert. I was on the internet buying a ticket, when I found out the only time, I could see my 3-year-old grandson was that Wednesday night. Of course, Jim and I went to see Ezra and had a lovely pizza dinner.

          Sometime in April or May, I found out that Bruce was going to playing at Wrigley Field on Aug 9 and 11^th. As with Detroit, I did some waffling.  Trying to find friends to go along to Chicago I had no luck. The prices were too high for them. Finally in July after my mid -summer vacation, I spent the $200+ on my ticket for Friday Aug 11^th. Towards the end of July, I bought the train ticket and booked my hotel. The closer Aug 11^th came the more excited I got.

             I have always found Wrigley field a magical place. I fell in love with it the very first Cub game Jim took me to in 2011. I always enjoyed the games rain or shine. The Cubs win or lose seem to have a loyal fan base unlike other major league teams. I thought it would be a fantastic place to hear Bruce. The seat I had picked out

            Jim went with me to the train station and walked me to the train, we kissed. He would pick me up on Sunday. I got on the train and had an uneventful ride to Chicago. I struggled with my suitcase and getting up the ramps. I called for a Lyft but when I got to the street my cab wasn’t there. Fortunately, someone saw me struggling, he flagged down a cab for me. I tipped him and took my cab to the hotel in downtown Chicago.

The Travelodge was how I remembered it before the Pandemic; warm welcoming and inviting. I made my way up to the front desk and checked in. The clerk asked if I wanted a room right off the elevator and I said yes. I made my way up to the second floor and unpacked. Being hungry I made my way to the Luna Café Restaurant. I had a filling and delicious lunch. This turned out to be my only meal of the day, I went back to the room and napped.

Waking up around 4:30pm I was ready to get going. I decided to wear my Traveling Granny shirt and a black skirt. I went down trying to get Lyft again, I had no success. I flagged down a cab and he took me to the concert. When we got two blocks from Wrigley, they wouldn’t let us go any farther. He tried but they didn’t believe I was handicapped. In hindsight, I should have researched the drop-off like I have done for every event since the concert. In frustration I got off and walked the two blocks. I struggled, out of breath, almost crying but I kept my eye on the prize—Bruce Springsteen.

Making it up to the entrance, I fumbled with my phone and found the ticket, I made it in and asked for a wheelchair. Waiting patiently for my turn. I made it up to my seat. Stopping along the way to use the restroom and buying an overpriced bottle of water. Excitement started to build. I was over the moon in happiness waiting for my hero to take the stage.

The entrance started; one by one the band members took the stage. Max. Roy, Charlie, Nils, Gary, Jake greeting the crowd and Steve tipping his hat. Finally, to cheers of Bruce, Bruce, he takes the stage. Good evening, Chicago he says as the crowd roars. The band busts into Night, followed by one of my favorites No Surrender.

The music and singing were great. All of my favorites were played: Born to Run, Promised Land, Prove It All Night, Because the Night, Badlands and Glory Days. The song that evoked the most emotion for me was Backstreets. From the haunting piano in the beginning, to the soliloquy in the middle to the ending that wanted to make me shed tears. I have a new favorite, Backstreets. I play this live version several times a week on You Tube.

As Bruce played the last song I’ll see You in my Dreams, I felt sad. This wonderful experience was over. Now the challenges began, getting out of here. Unlike most events that I have attended using a wheelchair, I didn’t have the same person, I was told I would have to wait. So, I waited and waited. For close to an hour I waited, to the point where the security guard yelled at me to leave. Somebody else said no stay. I stayed and finally someone came to get me. I felt like I was the very last person leaving. But based on other experiences I have had since; Wrigley Field was poor at helping their hand capped guests leave in a safe and timely manner.

My attendant took me took blocks and said this was as far as she could go. She gave me directions to the police station. I walked there but at 11:30 at night, it was hard to see if I was in the right place. I tried to call Lyft, but I had problems getting a signal. I was scared and alone. Cars were going every which way. I tried to flag one down, but I felt stupid. Finally, a guy claiming to be an Uber driver offered to take me for $95.00 saying it was Surge pricing. I was skeptical but I felt I didn’t have a choice. I paid the money and nervously rode back to the hotel.

I made it back to Travelodge around midnight. I was greeted warmly by the Security Guard with a “Welcome Back.” Making it up to my room I was tired. I had pleasant dreams about my adventures at Wrigley Field and about Bruce Springsteen,