I read the post below from one of my favorite blogs (www.amsdaily.net). While the author of the story is unknown (even following an exhausting Internet search), the message was one I wanted to share with the readers of My Unplanned Life. I read it earlier today and was surprised how much I thought about its message. Hoping it gets you thinking as well.
Life is like a train ride.
We get on. 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 first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those 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 the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever traveled 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 at 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 main station only to meet up with everyone else. They’ll all be carrying their baggage…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!
©My Unplanned Life and www.shakinguplife.wordpress.com, 2012.
My Unplanned Life... 
Imagine, if everyone understood their impact on fellow travelers.
I so agree…once again, it reminds me of one of my favorite books, The Five People You Meet in Heaven…you really never know! It pays to be nice to every one, all the time! Thanks for the LIKE and your comment!
🙂 you are most welcome. I STILL have to read that!
WOW! Once again Marsha you have given me an ah ha moment, thank you.
Ah, Brenda, thank you! I wish I would have written it, but I am sure glad I have a forum to spread the word. We can all use a few ah ha moments every now and then. I know I also had one when I first read the story and when I read it out loud to members of my family I kept learning more from it. It’s definitely a keeper. 🙂
Hoping all is well and hope we get to see you during the holidays. Sending love.
We can either complete the ride on a greyhound bus or a nice car. It’s all of what we do with it when the wheels start rolling.
I couldn’t agree more Don! I am so blessed our ‘train, bus or car’ were heading in the same direction and during one of those rides there was a empty seat and you, being the gentleman you always are, asked if you sit beside me. I am truly honored you are a part of my life! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and for being there when one of my ‘tires’ were low. You are a dear friend.