We knew the memories we were creating were what really mattered. They would last beyond our lifetime. These are the “Snapshots in Time” we hold so dear. This is the reason that one generation should stand on the shoulders of the one preceding it. It makes possible that which we previously thought was not! I could not help but remember that the hands that were now holding two by four lumber, were those that belonged to an infant, who not that long ago, clasped his tiny hand around my finger for the first time and changed my life forever!
Many people look to the future and truly believe that the problems we currently face will only get worse. They feel powerless to change it and believe that there is little they can do and have an overwhelming sense of dread for what lies ahead. Read the quote below if you fall into this category.
“No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to
uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.”
Helen Keller
Do you look to the future with overwhelming pessimism and say “things will never be as good in this world as they once were?” If you answered yes, I can only say you haven’t seen the twinkle in my grandson’s eye, his infectious sense of wonder, extraordinary common sense, and phenomenal character! He is the future and the world is a much better place with him in it.
Our journey together would have been simple if we were looking for something to circle the Christmas Tree each year. We had made the decision to build a layout that included a village, train station, mountains, trees, scenery, waterfalls, and a train yard! Were we confused at this point on our journey? Let’s just say the questions far outnumbered the answers and we were determined to find them. Our collective excitement and enthusiasm for our project kept us “on track.”
We knew exactly what we wanted to include on our layout and we found inspiration for building these things in some of the most unlikely places. The “expeditions” we took together were a constant source of inspiration for us. These expeditions were “priceless” on so many levels. They not only helped us build a magnificent layout but were a constant reminder of the things in life that really matter!
We found our research into every facet of the history and the building of our project immensely fascinating. We were thoroughly enjoying ourselves and that was not likely to change. During the first few months my grandson had read several books on the great railroads and how they changed America. We had been on hundreds of web sites together and had gained an appreciation for just how much the railroads affected the way people lived, worked and played. The educational opportunities our journey presented us with seemed almost limitless. Our combined enthusiasm would become the key to unlocking countless new doors into a world of exciting experiences we never dreamed were possible. My grandson and I also learned that if we were going to achieve all of our goals we would have to have a great deal of patience and perseverance!
“I like the one where he doesn’t miss the boat because it seems happier” my grandson said without hesitation.
“What if he did not miss the boat on his second attempt and the boat had trouble at sea and this man was responsible for saving many lives?”
“Now I don’t know which story I like….this gets confusing!”
“Time travel or how an event in the past affects subsequent events has been written about for years. You must admit we talked about a time machine and what we would do with it if we had one.”
My grandson began to have one of his “light bulb moments” and gave me his thoughts on what can be a difficult concept to grasp at any age! Never underestimate a young person’s ability to break down the most difficult concepts. Give them the opportunity and you will always be amazed at their conclusions and perspective on a given topic. More importantly – give them your “time.”
When I look back at the events that led me to write Snapshots in Time: The S&G Railroad only one thing comes to mind. The image of my 5 year old grandson Samy! He was standing in an almost empty walk-in closet and it seems like yesterday. He will be 10 in 2 months and I find it difficult that so much time has passed so quickly! This is when our “journey” began and it has led us to places we never imagined. Now we both would like to share our journey with you.
Snapshots in Time 