Connections & Letters
It’s funny how people connect.
In the spring I had the amazing opportunity to work in the dining car of a well-known, luxury trainline. They’ve offered me a contract extension through to September and I’m thinking about it. Let me tell you, it IS work, lol. But the experience I’ve gained and the people I met were so worth it! Like Lee:
One morning I was helping out in the lounge and met a man travelling home after visiting his son. He was feeling a little glum, but he had a great sense of humor, especially when it came to his travel arrangements. You see, he’s terrified of flying and recently discovered his eyesight wasn’'t what it used to be at night. He’d taken the bus to see his boy, but said it may have left him with PTSD, so he needed a different option for the trip home. This was his first time on a train.
It took a little elbow grease, but I convinced him to go with me to see one of my favorite sights on that route: The Hollow.
It’s this really cool miniature goblin city in a former bowling alley. The miniatures are painstakingly handcrafted and painted by hand, with great details like cobblestones, tiled roofs, they’re even working on a little outdoor exhibit village. It’s amazing on every level. I was gushing and I could tell Lee was having a good time, too. I think we both needed the company.
When we got back to the train, our conversation turned to family and how it isn’t always as easy to stay in contact as modern convenience might imply. I mentioned when I was a kid I had a penpal, and how awesome it was to get actual letters in the mail, or even online. He laughed and said he’d just had the same discussion with his son, and maybe the practice could be renewed.
I thought it was a great idea! Why not? He was a bit surprised when I asked if I could write his son. He had the same reaction: Why not? We’re similar in age and, by the sound of it, he’s interested in the idea as well.
And so I wrote to a complete stranger! I'm more than a little giddy about the whole idea. I know, its so very tween, but its also so very different. Looking forward to my first response!
Ciao everyone! ^_^
