The Silver Express
Today while out for my morning walk, I paused at a house to admire its lovely holiday spirit, and I noticed an oversized silver bell hanging from the lamp post, reminding me immediately of a familiar children’s book which later became a movie. As a former children’s librarian, I often connect visuals with books. Each December, I’d pull The Polar Express and some other classics to feature on a seasonal shelf.
Anyway, I noticed the bell and thought of the book and its message, which was that magic exists for those who have faith and believe. The funny thing I’ve noticed about aging is that my brain rewires its thoughts in new and inventive ways, and so on this sunny morning, the shiny bell on the lamp post triggered the words, The Silver Express. No, I said to myself, that’s not right. Not the Silver Express. Ah yes, The Polar Express!
As I continued on my walk, I couldn’t shake the words, The Silver Express. Silver being the color (or element?) associated with 25 years, as in Silver Anniversary (and ironically, Silver Divorce - those marriages that lasted for a quarter of a century, only to veer off the track after such a long journey.) But I digress. The Silver Express reminded me of the arc of life and how fast the ride goes is as you get closer to the last stop. There should be a picture book for us oldies, depicting us traversing the amazing countryside, enjoying the company and the scenery and the gentle swaying and rhythmic cadence of the car as it swiftly carries us along in style.
We look at the blurry landscape passing outside our window and remember all the things we wanted to do before our train whistles to a stop… the people we wished to help, the wealth we intended to save, the joy we meant to create. No matter how much we’ve done, there may still be a part of us questioning if it was enough. Maybe it’s a little late to make the vision as grand as the original plan, but it’s definitely not too late to get some important stuff done, to make new connections, learn new things, create new stories. You just need a little faith and the magic of time will regenerate. You’ll likely inspire someone too, someone younger perhaps, or maybe even another passenger who thought of a good idea and then just as quickly abandoned it, believing it’s too late to bother. Ride on, dear one, and ring that bell. As long as we’re still riding the rail, there is magic to behold! This world needs you.
