THE STATION

Lindsays Grandma · ‎03-10-2010

I have had a copy of The Station since 1999, it is one of my favorites and it gives me pleasure to share it with all of you.

Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out of the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day, at a certain hour we will be pulling into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives fit together like a complete jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering - waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

"When we reach the station, that will be be it." we cry. "When I'm 18." When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes Benz." "When I have paid off my mortgage!" "When I get a promotion." "When I reach the age of retirement, I shall live happily ever after."

Sooner or late we must realize there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto, this is the day we dreamed of, we will rejoice and be glad in it." "It isn't the burden of today that drives men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today,

So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as go we along. The station will come soon enough.

Author: Robert J. Hastings

The moving finger writes; And having writ, Moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line Nor all your Tears Wash out a Word of it. Omar Khayam

DbinMD · ‎09-18-2019

@Lindsays Grandma

Thank you for this.. No truer words than this.

JasoninBoston · ‎02-18-2012

@Lindsays Grandma

Thank you for posting this lovely and so timely message!

Swedishmiss · ‎04-21-2010

Thank you for posting. ❤️

reenie3 · ‎04-06-2010

I love this, also. I first read it when both of my children were in diapers, and my "station" was when I no longer had to change (and wash) diapers!! They are now 49 & 50!! I refer to this so often to remind my self! Thank you for posting it!