Shame on you...

I haven't lived in the Chicago area all that long—certainly not long enough to feel a sense of ownership when it comes to the downtown landmarks. But I've lived here long enough, and walked around downtown with enough visiting friends and family, to develop an appreciation for certain elements of the Windy City.

One of my favorite things downtown is the Cloud Gate sculpture—affectionately known to most people as "The Bean."

For those who haven't seen it, The Bean is a 110-ton sculpture that sits in Millennium Park. The Bean's highly-polished stainless steel provides a stunning reflection of the city's skyline (and the sky...hence the name, "Cloud Gate").

I've visited The Bean at least four times, and I've been mesmerized by it each time.

And last week, it was vandalized.

Of all the property downtown, the vandal (or vandals) chose to inscribe their pretty little names on The Bean: "Peter S" and "Ashley D." I may not have lived here long enough to call the sculpture "our Bean," but apparently I've been here long enough to feel ashamed by the vandalism. For some reason, their act made me very sad.

When Barbie first told me this happened, my shoulders drooped and I said, "No." I paused and said, "Why?" Which is really a stupid question. Because I'm fairly certain Barbie wasn't in on the plot.

But right now, as we're already bombarded with depressing news every day, I just felt like this should not have happened.

Right now, Chicagoans are proud of their city. More so than usual. After all, Grant Park (a mere stone's throw from The Bean) is where President Obama elected to speak on Election Night. The Bean, elevated from street level, currently overlooks an ice rink (just off Michigan Avenue) where the center ice is adorned with the Olympic Rings and these words: "Chicago 2016: Candidate City." And while so many in this area are feeling proud to call this city home, even during a time when America is not nearly as proud as it was just months ago (although that might be a good thing), the vandal(s)picked this moment to deface a beloved monument.

It's sad, really.

Whether the vandal(s) knew it or not, there is a security camera that monitors The Bean, and authorities hoped it would lead them to the culprit(s). But it's been nearly a week since the vandalism, and I haven't heard anything yet. The Bean was expected to be repaired—the names buffed out—by the end of last week. Of course, the taxpayers will cover that cost (unless the vandals are apprehended).

So by now, the damage should be undone; The Bean should sit unblemished again—back to its usual smooth and stoic self.

But the next time I visit the sculpture, as I look at the way the city and sky converge in its reflection, I'll know that the vandals are looming somewhere behind the mirrored skyline, and it will still make me sad. Just a little bit.



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