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!
When we were young children we really had no obligations and time seemed to pass more slowly. When our parents or especially our grandparents made time for us, it validated something we already knew. They were quite possibly the only people who fully understood the concept of time itself! As Grandparents, it is understandable why we wish to make time slow down. We live in a world that has become very fast-paced and we sometimes neglect the things in life that really matter. Looking back on our lives we come to the conclusion that some things should never be neglected. Perhaps it is for this reason we realize what a blessing our grandchildren really are! They are our link to the future and we are their link to the past and there is nothing greater than spending time with them now…in the present ! Become the pilot and make the precious time we have with our children and grandchildren overflowing with memories and experiences they will never forget!
I overheard a group of 7 – 10 year old children talking about what they received for Christmas. Several of them had received the latest and greatest video games, a couple had received i-pads and each was saying how great they were for playing games. What impressed me the most was the one boy who said rather proudly “I didn’t want any of those for Christmas.” “What!” the others replied. The young boy laughed and said confidently, “A few months from now when your games are replaced by a newer model or broken, my soccer ball and cleats will still be in great shape and so will I.”
Needless to say, I was very impressed. Not only was he willing to risk the peer pressure, but he displayed the wisdom seldom seen in our young today. He managed to turn the conversation about tablets and video games to sports. It became apparent to me that much of what was being said by these children was what they thought the others would want to hear.
And No I am not anti-electronic devices. They have their place and when used appropriately can be very educational. We do however replace actually playing sports with playing games, exercise with sitting on the couch, creating and imagining with clicking and touchscreens. We at the very least need to listen to this young boy and strike a healthy balance. While I am at it parents, the next time you absolutely have to “text” someone, pick up the phone and actually call them!
In Snapshots in Time: The S&G Railroad by Robert Michaels, Samy and his grandfather discuss just that. Since they did not have a plutonium-powered DeLorean or a flux capacitor, they decided they just weren’t necessary. They were determined to go back in history through one of their now-famous expeditions. This Grandson and Grandfather chose another vehicle for their journey through time. We hope more of you will join us on our adventure now that we are available on Kindle as well as paperback. Our journey spans almost 200 years and is a compilation of experiences and memories we have created together to make this true story enjoyable, heartwarming and one we will never forget.
It is a “must read”for all grandchildren, parents and grandparents!
Snapshots in Time 