Life on the Train
(Text of a slide show)
Life is like a train ride,
Life is like a train ride,
We get on.
We ride.
We ride.
We get off.
We get back on and ride some more.
There are accidents and there are delays.
At certain stops there are surprises.
Some of these will translate into great moments of joy,
some will result in profound sorrow.
When we are born and we board the train,
we meet people whom we think will be with us
for the entire journey.
These people are our parents!
Sadly, this is far from the truth.
Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them.
They too have journeys they must complete.
We live on with the memories of their love,
affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.
There are others who board the train and who eventually
become very important to us, in turn.
These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and
acquaintances, whom we will learn to love and cherish.
Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour.
They will just go merrily along. Others, will encounter
many upsets, tears, losses on their journey.
Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand
to anyone in need.
Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off....
Some will get on and get off so quickly, they will
scarcely leave a sign that they ever travelled along
with you or ever crossed your path....
We will sometimes be upset that some passengers
whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment,
and leave us to travel on our own,
Then again, there's nothing that says we can't seek them
out anyway.
Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not
even be able to sit next to them because that seat
will already be taken.
That's okay....everyone's journey will be filled with
hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.
We must strive to make the best of it....no matter what...
We must constantly strive to understand our travel
companions and look for the best in everyone.
Remember that on any moment during our journey,
any one of our travel companions can have a weak
moment and be in need of our help.
We too may vacillate or hesitate,even trip....
hopefully we can count on someone being there
to be supportive and understanding....
The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don't know when our last stop will come.
Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.
Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.
Personally, I know I'll be sad to make my final stop--
I'm sure of it!
My separation from all those friends and
acquaintances I made during the train ride will
be painful. Leaving all those I'm close to will be a sad thing.
But then again, I'm certain that one day I'll get to the
train station only to meet up with everyone else.
They'll be carrying their luggage - most of which they didn't have when they first got on this train.
I'll be glad to see them again. I'll also be glad to have
contributed to their baggage....and to have enriched
their lives, just as much as they will have
contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.
We're all on this train ride together.
Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride
as pleasant and memorable as we can,
right up until we each make the final stop
and leave the train for the last time.
All aboard!
There are accidents and there are delays.
At certain stops there are surprises.
Some of these will translate into great moments of joy,
some will result in profound sorrow.
When we are born and we board the train,
we meet people whom we think will be with us
for the entire journey.
These people are our parents!
Sadly, this is far from the truth.
Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them.
They too have journeys they must complete.
We live on with the memories of their love,
affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.
There are others who board the train and who eventually
become very important to us, in turn.
These people are our brothers, sisters, friends and
acquaintances, whom we will learn to love and cherish.
Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour.
They will just go merrily along. Others, will encounter
many upsets, tears, losses on their journey.
Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand
to anyone in need.
Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off....
Some will get on and get off so quickly, they will
scarcely leave a sign that they ever travelled along
with you or ever crossed your path....
We will sometimes be upset that some passengers
whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment,
and leave us to travel on our own,
Then again, there's nothing that says we can't seek them
out anyway.
Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not
even be able to sit next to them because that seat
will already be taken.
That's okay....everyone's journey will be filled with
hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.
We must strive to make the best of it....no matter what...
We must constantly strive to understand our travel
companions and look for the best in everyone.
Remember that on any moment during our journey,
any one of our travel companions can have a weak
moment and be in need of our help.
We too may vacillate or hesitate,even trip....
hopefully we can count on someone being there
to be supportive and understanding....
The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don't know when our last stop will come.
Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop.
Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.
Personally, I know I'll be sad to make my final stop--
I'm sure of it!
My separation from all those friends and
acquaintances I made during the train ride will
be painful. Leaving all those I'm close to will be a sad thing.
But then again, I'm certain that one day I'll get to the
train station only to meet up with everyone else.
They'll be carrying their luggage - most of which they didn't have when they first got on this train.
I'll be glad to see them again. I'll also be glad to have
contributed to their baggage....and to have enriched
their lives, just as much as they will have
contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.
We're all on this train ride together.
Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride
as pleasant and memorable as we can,
right up until we each make the final stop
and leave the train for the last time.
All aboard!
Safe journey!!
B O N V O Y A G E !
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