So I've mentioned that my son is obsessed with trains.
If I never see another Thomas video, it will be too soon. I do know this is something he loves, so I maintain an uneasy alliance with it.
But I realized as I was visiting my parents over the weekend, I love trains. My parents live around 200 feet from an active freight railway. Sometimes as many as two or three freight trains will go by in a given hour.
And they live around six blocks from another railway where I could ride the train all the way to my college. Some of my best memories are of riding various passenger railways (here and in Russia).
In college, the trains were one of the first things people (who weren't used to them) noticed. There were train whistles throughout the night.
Someone once characterized my college town as a sleepy railway town - and it was.
Perhaps the appreciation for trains is easier, living where I do now, where I am not often stopped in my car at a crossing. I can visit occasionally, listen to the rumbling of cars and screeching of brakes. But I'm not forced to confront these things on a regular basis.
From my vantage point, train engines are pretty stunning, some could consider them majestic.
Perhaps it helped that over my vacation, each time a freight train rumbled past my son (and daughter) would run to the window delighted.
5 comments:
I know how you feel. I love real trains, but those Thomas videos can definitely get grating. Fortunately, my kids have moved on to other videos...
some of my fondest college memories are of teary goodbyes and warm welcomes at the train station. i love the fact that i didn't "need" a car during those years and never really missed having one...other train-related stuff--my brother-in-law and his wife collect old railroad dining car china--some of the patterns are really beautiful.
Thanks chanson! It is so good to know that there *is* hope.
Thanks carrie! I had a feeling you would know what I'm talking about.
Being able to drive my then boyfriend/now husband's truck did come in handy a few times, especially driving home from that bar/restaurant I worked at. Walking home alone with all my tips - perhaps was not the wisest move.
Ah - youth is wasted on the young! :)
I remember hearing the train whistle in the distance at night when I spend the night at my grandparents as a child. I still love that sound.
How fun! It is good to tie in the annoying videos to something in real life that is interesting.
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