October 10 Means More Than the end of The Chicago Fire to Vendor A. Allen

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 is very signifiicant to me personally because of the dates. The Fire lasted about two days, from October 8 to 10.

The 10th is also my sobriety date, or the date that I had my last bit of alcohol and drugs, which included cocaine and heroin. So I relate to the ending of the Fire on the 10th of October because it was the day my personal fire was put out.

Speaking of "pants on fire," like a liar, I truly was at that time "burnt up from the floor up," as we say on the streets.

Not only did the Great Fire put a star on our city's flag, it put a star on my heart. Oct. 10, 2009 will always be cherished and celebrated by me because it was the day I was, so to speak, reborn. My eyes were opened to a new way of life, so much so that I celebrated my second year of being sober by actually running the 2011 Chicago Marathon, which fell on Oct. 9, 2011.

Yes, I remember it well. It was hard, but I did finish it. Since then, I have run two more marathons and I am proud to say I finished them both. Not best in time, but I did finish them in celebration of my sobriety date, October 10.

This year, I will be on the sidelines cheering on the runners in the 2021 Marathon, Sunday October 10. Not only that, but I came to StreetWise in hopes that I can work and stay sober. Today, I am thankful for rain putting out the Chicago Fire on October 10, grateful for my sobriety date October 10 and grateful for the Chicago Marathon on October 10.

Thanks to all my 12-step friends, to StreetWise and to all you wonderful customers who buy magazines each and every week from not only from me, but from all the vendors associated with StreetWise.

Vendor A. Allen