Railroad cars….
the rhythmic click clack click clack…. was that what he was drawn to? And this man, myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope, loved trains and the rails. Was it a romantic notion of riding the rails? Or is it that the railroads connect this land of ours like none other can, like rivers to the sea, the train cars carry their cargo along the rails to their destiny.
Rails run deep in our family for it was while working for competing railroad companies that my parents met in Chicago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Romantic notions, melodies, rhythm dancing….I’ll never forget the sweet sound of the Santé Fe train engine music box, and wonder what ever became of it.
Rails run deep in our family for it was while working for competing railroad companies that my parents met in Chicago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Romantic notions, melodies, rhythm dancing….I’ll never forget the sweet sound of the Santé Fe train engine music box, and wonder what ever became of it.
And as I write, eyes closed, I can hear the band playing on the patio when the oh so familiar ding, ding, ding and red flashing lights alert pedestrians and drivers alike that the train is getting near. Then long before one can see the train rounding the bend, the click, clack, click, clack fills the atmosphere… The conductor waves at the children lining the pation wall and pulls his whistle as the train whizzes by. I look at myDarlin’ only to see him close his eyes and smile that big smile of his. And I wonder again… what is it that he loves so dearly about the trains….
Camera and props in hand, we make our way about the square taking advantage of so many photo ops as they prepare to announce their love and intentions to live happily ever after to their family and friends. I can’t help but think of my Father and myDarlin’ as I look at him, knowing that he loves trains every bit as much as they. And then it happened…. The familiar ding, ding, ding, red lights flashing followed by the inevitable click, clack, click, clack. Hurry we say, let’s get this shot… and I watch the oh so familiar smile, the same as myDarlin’s, come over his face and he cannot help but turn to look at the train. She smiles at him, and leans her head on his shoulder….
Today I am filled with gratitude for the connectivity the railroads represent and the heartbeat of the click, clack, click, clack….And if we stay on the railroad tracks of life, it will surely take us to our destination.
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