Watching Life Through a Window …

This goes way beyond just the experience I had, it is about our lives.

I rode Amtrak back home today. The events that led up to this was the topic of yesterday’s post. But the ride gave me a deep reminder on life for each of us.

First … I wasn’t in rush. I had gotten their early, and was first on the platform 9-3/4 (I wish) and then got in the back of the throng that rushed the one door they were using for loading and unloading the Crescent 20 Train. Then someone came rushing up to the line and intentionally cut in line, right in front of me. Then let their whole family join them – right in front of me. I wasn’t in a rush, and I tried to be kind, smile, and let them know it was okay.

The train wasn’t going anywhere, we all would get on. They had room (we all had tickets. So 20 seconds wouldn’t matter to me. But why would people do this … rush and total disregard to what is going on around them except what they are doing?

---

But why would people do this … rush and total disregard to what is going on around them except what they are doing?

In the end, the seats would be right next to each other.

Some people are oblivious to anything except what they are doing.

Second … I was commanded, yes commanded, to take a specific seat. Not chose one that is free. Not seat by window or in aisle, face forward, face rear … SIT in 34. What if that was my unlucky number? And when I asked if I could go to the dining car (I wanted some coffee), they said, “No, Sit!” Sometimes life is out of our control. We are told what top do, where to go, and don’t rock the boat (or the train.)

---

Sometimes life is out of our control. We are told what top do, where to go, and don’t rock the boat (or the train.)

So, I sat. Quietly.

But once the train began to rock on her own volition, I got up and headed to the back of the train and

Third … the ride was uneventful – a little over two hours sitting on a hard booth seat and studying. I sat there, watching the world speed by. This is when it hit me. mere yards from my window I saw fields, woods, small towns, railway tracks splitting off, cars speeding by, crossing track lights, and people.

This land is full of people. People rushing to and fro. People with agendas, and dreams, hurts, blessings, burdens. People with excitement and grand adventures. People with life full of love, hopes, drama.

And all I did was see the quick glance as I sped by.

Little time to see the beauty of the creation. Mere seconds to see the world of people. I was watching the world through a window. What a shame.

Little time to see the beauty of the creation. Mere seconds to see the world of people. I was watching the world through a window. What a shame.

I know I couldn’t stop, or even slow down to take in the mass amount of details blurring by. So I did the next thing possible. I spent a little time observing and even little connection to those on my side of the window, watching the world go by with me.

• A man reading in the dining car’s booth next to me. We talked about Virginia when they called out “Danville, Next Stop.”
• An elderly couple looking for a two sided booth. I told them they could have mine and I would take a single sided booth. They tried to not put me out, but I said they truly needed the double sided booth so they could stare into each others’ eyes. (the woman looked at me strange, the man pumped a fist in excitement from behind her)
• I got to know the lady at the dining car … 2 year Train Veteran that comes from New Orleans. Since this was the Crescent Run, that made since.

Stop just seeing life from the wrong side of a window … start seeing life and connecting with people. Maybe even get off the train every once in a while.