I frequently look at a blank stare when I gaze into the eyes of someone who’s just asked me, “What is TrainGranny?” I want to say, “Read my blog from the very beginning, and you’ll have your answer!” But, that’s not what inquisitive minds want to hear. They want a one-sentence summary of why I’m doing such strange things (now) after having led such a “normal” life in the past.
As Mothers Day approaches, I have thought much about how to explain the phenomenon to my own mother, age 89, who has no idea that I’ve been riding trains for fun! I’m going to have dinner with her tonight since I won’t be in Georgia on Sunday; and, I’m giving her a large print hard copy of my blog… from start to finish… and adding a photo of a piece of inspirational artwork I discovered in the window at Herald Square Hotel in New York on my first TrainGranny trip. Her reaction will be mixed, I’m sure. I hope she won’t focus on worrying about me, so she can enjoy hearing the tales of adventure!
Happy Mothers Day to you, Mom! Thanks for teaching me to follow my heart!
When my mother was 86 (in 1996) she and her 88 year old sorority sister, both extensively world traveled, decided to take a Grand Circle tour by rail in Europe. They went from Rome to London and rode the Orient Express, ths trains in Switzerland, the TGV in France and the Chunnel to Paris. I was an only child and my mother called me and told me about this planned trip and said that she was a little concerned that it might be too expensive————I reminded her that if she didn’t spend the money, I sure would!! and off she went!! Turned out it was her last major trip but it was a grand one!!
C.
Sweet story!
Love the graphic of the sign with Thoreau’s epigram on it. The whole section from “Walden” is worth noting . . . especially the portion you are living out: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.”
I always travel with that book, and also Walt Whitman . . . “Afoot and lighthearted, I take to the open road . . . ”
Bon Voyages
I did revisit that section of “Walden” and was quite inspired! Had not read it in many years! (Had actually forgotten that these words were his… paraphrased, but Thoreau’s words) I’m ready to go build foundations under my castles in the sky!
The dinner went very well! She did not seem upset that I’m leaving for California tomorrow! She loved the printed copy of my blog, and probably stayed up half the night reading it. She came through with flying colors, and so did I!!! Mission accomplished!
Well, I feel like George Bush standing on the fighter jet with the “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” sign behind me. Mother called me last night, after she finished reading the entire blog, to BEG me not to go on this trip! Her concerns: too dangerous to travel alone, going to places I’m not familiar with, being around strangers, just not safe, seems crazy to her, etc. etc. etc.
I will call her tonight to reassure her; but, I’m not certain it will help.
Once a mother, always a mother!! Tell her that there are a gazilion people “following ” you and you are really NOT alone!!
Yeah, I know, it won’t help. But give it a go!
C.
Of course, she has no idea what “following” is! If I said that, she would think a gazilion people were after me… chasing me with ill intent.