For the love of trains

Maybe this is my inner geek coming out-but I love trains! That's where this story is going to end up- the long way to that revelation!
 I had a hard time staying asleep one night, ( well that actually happens a lot) but this time my eyes flew open and I was done slumbering...at least that is what my brain decided. Have you ever just woke up out of a dead sleep for no apparent reason? Or if it be the case, set your alarm and woke up slightly before it went off and struggled for those last few minutes of sleep...that you just couldn't obtain? Frustration....ugh. I drug myself up vertical; still not sure of why I was even getting out of bed to check the house- like I was doing guard duty after midnight.

Crawling back into my warm, cozy white down comforter covered bed with way too many pillows ( who am I kidding...their so FLUFFY!!!! lol ) My mind went to the previous day. I was gearing up for a trip to Washington, to visit some friends and family for a week or two. I decided to get a rock chip repair done at a local auto glass shop. Inside the office, that was still decorated in Christmas décor like a magical holiday workshop, were two older gentlemen who both looked liked Santa Claus

 ( I kid you not!)

This was quite a fun and slightly funny experience for me. They talked about how most people around town know them as Santa....I've lived here for four years...how did I miss this???

While Santa no# 1 worked on my windshield, I wondered back into the office to pay Santa no#2 and check out some of the interesting displays. In the corner, there was a large plywood table covered with green felt and an old miniature train set. A whole tiny town with worker people, stores, houses...the whole nine yards on display. It was the coolest tiny train town I've seen in a long while.

I told Santa no# 2 how much I liked his mini train set up. In my head, I was thinking about the twilight zone episode where human people wake up in an empty town with a train....only  to find out they are in a similar toy mini town for some kid to play with- to their horror.. ( of course I didn't say this out loud, some things are best to the amusement of our quiet selves-right?!)

I went back to where my vehicle was being serviced and commented to Santa no#1 how much I liked the train set up. He shared with me that he lost his mother a while ago (Mrs. Santa to no#2) His mother used to come in every day and run the train set because she loved it so much. It was a source of her daily joy. After she passed away, Santa#2 can't bring himself to go near it. It hasn't run since then. Its dusty and unloved to this day.

It was a very sad story. I wanted to run in and hug Santa 2 and let him know that his wife's joy needed to bring him joy too. I wanted to share some great and fun train stories I had to make him smile. But who am I to tell someone how to deal with their grieving? Instead, I went back in the office and spent some extra time chatting him up with the biggest smile I could muster. I joked with him until I got a grand ole smile to stretch across his face. Bless his heart, he kept giving me things like a company pen, a mini calendar and a date book..... He really seemed to enjoy our  time together. I did too! I did manage to tell him how much I loved trains and that he had a mighty fine little set up. He looked at me with the sweetest smile and a twinkle in his eyes and said-'thank you'. Maybe in some way, he can find a smile when looking back on that day too. A smile can go such a long way and do so much good. I know how much I appreciate someone pouring some sunshine on my day when I feel a little low.
 Find someone yourself to shine on with this week!
I can't wait to get another rock chip!- And talk trains!
Peace out-