Coming Home By Train

Jean, at age three, and I went to Indiana for a week's visit with my mother, Madeleine, and my younger brothers, Mahon and Joe. (Our father was deceased)

We had a wonderful visit. It was great to be with the family again. Now our visit was over, and Jean and I were aboard an overnight train. We were traveling back to our home in New York State.

As I thought of going home, I was surprised to realize that Indiana, and my mother's house, where I had lived for twenty years, was no longer "home."
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Recalling a Memory as if in present time

After our sleep in a roomette on the train, morning has come. The train is nearing our hometown, and all is well. Jean and I are both dressed and are ready to leave. I have gathered together our belongings and packed our bag, and not a moment too soon.

I see that the train is pulling into the station! It is 6:30 a.m. I say to Jean, "Let's look out the window for "Daddy."

Suddenly Jean points and says, "I see Daddy!"

From the window, I see George, too. He's standing with his arms folded together, and he is smiling. I can see that even though it's early, George is dressed in a suit and is ready for work. But for now, he has come to meet Jean and me, and to take us home.

I feel the train stop. Jean and I move through the aisle to the exit. Soon, it's our turn to leave from the open door. George is waiting for us. .

The conductor at the bottom of the steps, has helped people leave the train. Now it's our turn. The conductor takes our bag and then helps us come down the steps.

After we are on the station platform and safely away from the train, George comes to us. Jean put her arms up to George. He picks her up for a hugging time. Then George pulls me into a three-way embrace. Hugging George, I catch the pleasant scent of shaving cream and morning freshness."

What I remember most about George that day, is the joy I saw in his face when Jean and I appeared in the doorway of the train. I felt good, too. Once again, I was with my husband, George, and I was home!
Marylee Manson Armour
May 21, 2001
Revised January 10, 2007,
and April 19,2007