Wednesday, December 23, 2009

an amtrak Christmas

This Christmas we are taking the train to Colorado.
That is, as soon as two of our boys get over the flu.
For some reason Amtrak frowns heavily upon passing on illnesses cross country.
Go figure.
Scott and I have decided we are either going to love it or we will be
pulling our hair out by the time we reach Reno.
Either way we are sure to have memories. Good and crazy.
I remember taking the train from California to Colorado when I was little.
I remember walking between the cars and the wind whistling across my face.
I remember reading....and reading.....and reading.
I remember thinking microwaved hamburgers were the best things I had ever tasted.
And I remember winding up mountains flocked with snow and trying to sleep
with the clack of the trains wheels interrupting my dreams.
And it felt a little adventurous. Almost like the wild west days...but
with modern conveneniences...like toilets and electricity.
I am hoping for some Christmas magic on the train.
Since our trip has been postponed, we will be riding on Christmas day.
When my mom was little and living in Portland, they packed into the car
after church on Christmas Eve and drove through the night to California
to be with family.
When my mom and her brothers and sisters woke up on Christmas morning still driving,
their stockings had been hung in the car windows and filled to the brim.
Pure magic.
I'm not sure how it will all work out but I am sure that somehow someway
good old Saint Nick will find his way onto The Zehphyr and leave some gifts
for three boys in his wake.
And that will be magical....
whether or not Scott or I have any hair left at that point.


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5 comments:

deezmath said...

Oh, wow!! I have ALWAYS wanted to do that, but didn't remember that I did. One more thing to add to the bucket list.

Have fun!!! At least this way, during the long travel (travail? ha) they can get up and walk around.

hb said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have a wonderful trip to Colorado. I hope you keep your hair. You are changing my life day by day. I tell the Worry Man I RUN after Jesus and then he goes away. My gratitude list is getting longer and longer. I remmeber to say "thank you" so much more than before. I am even learning where the stories, I have known my whole life, are in the bible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my family thanks you too. Happy New Year. Can't wait til your new book.

Kelly @ Love Well said...

So. Cool.

One way or another, this will be a Christmas to remember.

dawn said...

that sounds like a memory for sure! How lovely! I am in Colorado right now and it's snowing--the state is readying itself for your christmas adventure.

Blessings.

Girly Muse said...

That sounds SO fun and SO adventurous.

You are a brave, brave woman.

I'm sure there will be loads of magic