How lucky am I to be able to call a friend spontaneously and ask if I could visit for a couple of days to recharge.

The last couple of weeks have been challenging in many ways and my soul was craving serenity.  Sometimes we have to disconnect in order to reconnect, so I decided to do just that.

First, let me tell you about my Amtrak train trip that was supposed to set the peaceful mood to my getaway.  I decided to schedule an early train so I could get to my friend Kelly’s early and have a full day to visit.  I woke up bright and early on Saturday and was out the door by 6:45 a.m. to catch a train out of Naperville.  I have taken Amtrak many times before, as it is my favorite mode of transportation. However, I have never taken it out of this particular train station.  I arrived with plenty of time to spare before departure.  Something felt odd about the train tracks. There was no attendant on site to answer questions and not a single soul that seemed to know what track the train would arrive at.  To make a long (er) story short, I missed my train. YES, I missed my train!!!  Imagine that!  Not a good way to start your quest to peaceland.  I stood there in front of those tracks, watching Amtrak blow the horn as it left the station.  I was on the opposite side of the tracks, and their two minute stop at the station did not allow me enough time go under the tunnel to make it there on time.  Unfortunate event.  As the train started moving again, I stood there in disbelief with tears rolling down my face.  I had been SO excited for two days thinking about getting on this particular train, relaxing with my book in hand, and a cup of coffee from the snack car while absorbing the scenery.  I called Stan and urged him to turn around and pick me up as soon as possible.  I’m almost positive I sounded like an immature five year old at the other end of the line… it’s ok. In my mind, I was almost entitled to that behavior.  I was disappointed, stressed and sad.  Thankfully for me, I have been blessed with a husband that has the patience and calmness of a saint, truly.  A few minutes later, Stan pulled up at the train station, got out of the car, gave me a hug and reassured me that “everything would be ok!" He took me out to breakfast and we started brainstorming a plan for me to get to my friend’s house that same day.  After much deliberation and a couple of phone calls, I had another train ticket in my hand to get on the next train arriving just a few hours later.  It would get me in a little later than expected, but I would still enjoy the peaceful train ride I was so desperately craving.

The next train arrived, and this time I was on the right side of the tracks.  I even assisted some people that were on the WRONG side of the tracks to walk under the tunnel in order for them to catch their train.  Yes, I was yelling at them across the tracks since it can get loud at the train station. They were grateful for the help because otherwise they would’ve missed their train as well.  Who knew riding the train would be such an exciting affair.  I was assigned seat #55 upon boarding.  Our train car was not full, only a few people there, and I thought, “nice, this will be peaceful, just what I need.”  In front of me sat a lady perhaps in her early 70’s.  Next to her, the nice couple I helped crossed the tracks who happened to be traveling back from Ethiopia and were on their way back home to Iowa.  Behind me was a young couple and next to me, the sweetest lady by the name of Beverly.  Beverly and I exchanged cordial hellos and proceeded to enjoy our ride.  She reclined her seat to take a nap, and I took a book out… “Guardian Angels. True Stories of Answered Prayers” by Joan Wester Anderson.  As the train continued to make its way southwest, the stories from nearby passengers started unraveling.  The couple from Iowa started sharing their journey to Ethiopia with the lady next to them.  They said that they had just visited their daughter there who is a missionary in the horn of Africa.  She has been there for a couple of years helping the poor and working towards providing clean water to the village where she lives.  The lady next to them said that she was an active member of the outreach ministry at her home parish and she, herself started sharing stories about her own mission trips and involvement in helping the poor. 

The couple sitting behind me was having a conversation of their own, talking about hardships they are experiencing and at one point the young girl said to her boyfriend/husband, “I know God is with us, I feel his presence.”  It was at that moment, that the nice lady sitting beside me by the name of Beverly perked up and said to me, “have you paid attention to what’s going on in this train? You are reading a book about angels, the people in front of us are talking about mission trips and helping the poor and the couple behind us are sharing stories of faith during their times of trouble, I very much doubt this is a coincidence.”  Well, I think Beverly was right.  Beverly shared with me that she had recently lost her mom whom she was very closed to and it has been really hard on her.  Her eyes filled up with tears and said “I miss the ordinary days with her… I miss talking to her… I miss her smile.”  Before we knew it, that little corner of the train was engaged in conversation, and I looked around and there was no one else in that car.  Many seats were empty.  Every person in our little group was from a different Christian denomination, but we all shared the same faith.  Upon arrival, I said goodbye to my new friends and told Beverly I would pray for her to find peace.  She wished me well too.  The Guardian Angels book I had intended to read on the way to Galesburg, had taken on a life of its own.  God sightings.

I arrived at the Galesburg train station at dinner time.  My friend, Kelly, was already there waiting for me.  I was greeted with big, warm hugs and smiles.  We stopped at one of our favorite BBQ places on the way home which happens to be closing it’s doors this month after over 40 years of being in business.  We heard that the original owner is tired of working long hours every day and decided to close the restaurant.  The lines were out the door with many locals wanting one last taste of that amazing BBQ food.  We stood in line for almost an hour and soon made friends with those waiting in line with us.  Small towns usually mean friendly people.  With every bite of our ribs and brisket, we remembered the times we visited the “Rib Shack” with Kelly’s family, some of which have now passed.  Great memories from very happy times.

My friend Kelly lives outside city limits, a peaceful, quiet corner in the middle of nowhere.  Her “next door” neighbors are many, many feet away, and the front and back are surrounded with nothing but cornfields.   A place where the air smells fresh and the birds chirp.  I had my morning coffee on her front porch every day, staring at the endless road and watching the cows graze.  Actually, one of them kept a close eye on me, I don’t think she enjoyed the intruder (me!) too much, but I still took a picture of her. 😊

I had many conversations with Kelly.  We laughed together, we cried together, we took walks in her garden and simply enjoyed our time together.  I especially loved holding her beautiful grandson and spending time with him.  Babies have a special way of reminding us of the good in the world.

Sometimes we need to disconnect in order to reconnect and this little escape of mine was just what my soul needed to continue giving the best of me to those I love.