This issue was initially conceptualized as a moment to revel in what makes the city of Chicago truly great. But I’m not going to lie: There have been moments over the past few weeks where I really haven’t felt like celebrating.

Just as our city was finally getting its financial house back in order, we were knocked deep into debt by the novel coronavirus and the economic shutdown deployed to contain it. And while I admire the peaceful protesters who are agitating for social justice and racial equality, I was absolutely devastated by the destruction caused by the looting and rioting that managed to glom onto them and muddy their message.

Still, I’m not going anywhere. Chicago is my home, and I plan to be here to help it rebuild. Thankfully, the real estate industry can be part of the path back to economic stability, and it can also help start important conversations about equity in homeownership and representation in our city.

In the meantime, I want to take a moment and revel in the natural optimism that the vast majority of real estate brokers have in common. It takes an especially confident, upbeat person to wake up every day “unemployed” — as some agents half-jokingly put it — and go out and make deals happen. And yet, you do it with a smile and an intense love for the neighborhoods we call home. And that’s why, while I may not be able to extol the virtues of Chicago with a completely full-throated voice at this particular moment, I can certainly raise a glass to our readers. Let us love our city, even if it hurts.