Riding the Rails

Papa has a model train set. He and K.

are what K. calls "train men".
Train men drive the train, wear their
train hats, and blow the train whistle
for hours on end.
Of course train men also enjoy candy and
soda, because mommy isn't down in the basement with
the train and the train men.
Last week, my mom said that one thing she
wanted to do with the kids was
take a train ride.
She wanted to be with them when they
experienced their first time on a train.
I was happy to make that wish come true.
Last week, we took the kids on a train ride.

What fun we all had.
Papa and the kids walked

all over the train.

The train drove past an animal preserve.

It picked up boaters.

K. was thrilled to watch the canoes

loaded on.

Mom loved the ride. Just the time together

with the kids. Watching them smile.

Seeing how thrilled they were to cross

between cars.

Funny how a diagnosis can change your

perspective. Last summer we may

not have made time for this trip.

We foolishly thought we'd have

many other summers to take a day trip on

a train. Funny how important it becomes

to make memories and experiences.

I'm so thankful for the time together. I'm happy

to have the opportunity for the kids

to make memories of times

with their grandparents. I hope

to have many more days to do this.