Trains Go By

When I rounded the corner onto TV Highway on my way to work, I sighed  as I saw the traffic backed up for several blocks. The red flashing lights in the distance and the mournful cry of the train horn announced that the road was blocked with no way around.

I turned off the car and sent texts to inform work I would be late. As I watched the lumber laden rail cars, slowly click-clack  across the intersection, I was reminded of a conversation  I had with a good friend whose life was then in turmoil.

"Emotions are like trains, " she said, "they just go by."

Some go by in a flash:  joy of  victory,  fleeting frustration,  anger of being cut off at your exit.

Some go by like a turtle packing bricks (which isn't always bad) :  disappointment of  a failed attempt,  pride of job well done, the fear of being caught.

As you can see, the train has gone by.
Photo taken at a park near Republic, WA, 2010

The worst, the train stopper, has to be grief. When a big loss hits like a 2 X 2 in the jaw, the train just stays on the track, stopping  traffic and blocking the view of what lies ahead.  I have let grief keep a train on the track for months. Sometimes there is nothing to do but keep breathing and wait for the train to move.

What a relief to know that I can't trust emotions to keep me company forever. When emotions run rampant,  I just wait a while and they move on by until the view becomes clear again.

The train goes by and the journey continues.
Peace!
lw