Railroad Tracks

10 Months Ago Today…

/ Jodi / 88 Comments

10 Months Ago Today.

I crossed the railroad tracks today,
like I do so many days.

And I realized, after the fact,
that for the first time in 10 months

I didn’t get a lump in my throat…
I didn’t hold my breath…

I didn’t think of you
and the decision you made

10 months ago today.

It caught me off guard…
Made me both happy and sad.

Only 10 months ago
you were still here…

barely hanging on…
but still there was hope.

10 months later
there is no more hope

and the memory is beginning
to fade.

I want to be happy,
yet that makes me sad.

10 months ago today
you took your life away.

Rest in peace dear brother.
Rest in peace.

Love,
Jodi

Around the Bend

/ Jodi / 49 Comments
Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks - Mars, PA - August, 2016

Foggy Morning Railroad Tracks – Mars, PA – August, 2016

When the fog is so thick
you can’t see round the bend,

do you take a chance
or allow a dead end?

Our minds can get foggy too,
and we don’t see as clearly as we usually do.

The intriguing thing, though,
is if we take a slow go

with thoughtful steps in confident faith,
we might be surprised at what awaits.

Go forward my friend
around the bend.

The further you go,
the clearer you’ll grow.

Cherish all the moments.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

The Tracks of My Tears

/ Jodi / 40 Comments
railroad tracks nick

Photo by Nick McKinney

In the car the other day, I asked my son, Nick, if we could stop for a few minutes along the railroad tracks and take a few photos.

I’m always thinking there is a good photo there and have tried a few times, but have never been completely happy with what I’ve taken.

When we stopped and got out of the car, Nick proposed a challenge:  We each take five photos, and then we’ll see who gets the best one.

After literally laying on the road and standing guard for each other to warn of approaching cars, Nick took the prize with this photo I am sharing today.

I love the different perspective he found…  I love that he turned the camera to portrait, which I rarely think to do…. I love the blur in the distance, but also the way the lines draw you to the “dreamy, mysterious” distance….  I love the blur of the smooth track and the detail in the rusty fasteners and am fascinated with how this simple hardware design creates the track that holds a train in line…

And I love that this photo and the memory created in those few short moments brings to mind an oldie but goodie song, The Tracks of My Tears … as I smile… and my eyes tear up with pride.

Cheers & Hugs,

Jodi