The Train Driver and His Soup

When you are down and out and you feel like you just got a triple whammy, you know you’ve hit rock bottom, as most people would say.  The best thing to do is sit back, be still, surrender to the moment, and know that if you’ve hit the deepest gut, there is nowhere else to go but up.

Feeling  exactly like all of the above, I begin to be still. 

As one of my favourite authors said:  there is no such thing as an accident in life.

The life I have now and all the circumstances I am in is not an accident.  I am here in this situation for a purpose and for learning.

This in mind, I begin to gravitate on being grateful for being alive.  From this baby step, I begin to see my world from a greyish point of view to a color-filled one.  I begin to be grateful for family and loved ones, a home, meals on the table, clothes on my back, and good health.

And I see glimpses.  Glimpses of peace - of stillness and dependency to the One Creator of all things. Glimpses of everyday life and ordinary people.

As I was on the train this cool and grey morning, something unusual happened.  The early winter wind was cold, and the morning was dark.  

Everyone looked grim on the train; up until when we reached the City Hall station.  The train driver cackled a cheery good morning thru the speakers.  His voice was a contrast to the grey day that loomed ahead.  

He continued to announce the weather forecast and said in one breath:  "By the way, I know my sister is in one the carts here coz I saw that red jacket I gave her last Christmas. Well, sister, tell Mom I’m gonna call her tonight and maybe even give her a visit and maybe dinner? So kindly please, can you buy my favourite soup from my favourite store on your way home tonight? And see you later, sis!”

You bet almost everyone inside the train chuckled.  I for one, shook my head and laughed. 

Joy and hope does not have to make a grand entrance in our lives for us to be happy.  Unexpected moments like this train driver and his soup can be priceless.

I saw that sad-looking lady wearing a burgundy toque smile timidly.  It was a slight lift of the corners of her mouth; or a lopsided smile; but a smile just the same.

For a split second, the heavy veil of gloominess lifted from me.  Hey, I’m gonna “wing” it, if I have to.  I am just grateful to be alive!

Thank you, God for train drivers, sisters and favourite soups!