detroit, you have my heart...

Maybe it's because it gave refuge to a father fleeing a stifling environment. Maybe it's because it's where he realized that he really could pursue dreams far beyond his eastern European roots. 

Maybe it's because I can still picture myself as a little girl looking up at big letters on bright Saturday mornings.

Maybe it's because of the rollerskating memories through that very market... more likely because of the bratwurst pita sandwiches, though.

Maybe it's because of the long and slow drives down Woodward, my dad sharing stories about adventures in a new country during the late 60s. Maybe it's because of the sadness in his eyes over how much it's decayed.

Whatever the reason may be, I see images like this and I want them to come true with all my heart.

It can happen. Right? So many dilapidated buildings... ashes everywhere, suffocating every surface they envelope.

Will officials start doing right things and stay away from pocket-filling things?

Will The Spirit of Detroit really be able to lift up a wheezing city from its ashes?

When I see this:

And this:

A mini-beach in the city?  Who woulda thought?

And this:

Roasting Plant

I think, maybe, just maybe, enough others will care to see this city flourish again.

And then maybe, just maybe, generations to come will have memories to daydream about as well.