Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childhood days, recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth, and transport the traveler back to his own fireside and quiet home! Charles Dickens
Are you busy? During the hectic schedule of the season have you forgotten a much loved tradition? You never know when inspiration will strike you again. Keith was delivering beef this fall to customers in Cedar Rapids who asked if he'd like to see their train layout. It was spectacular. The details spoke volumes about the character and labor of love that went into this setup. When the boys were younger Keith surprised them one Christmas morning with a train layout. It surrounded the Christmas tree and on the tracks were cars that reflected each of the boy's personalities. They were thrilled. The train circled the track and went through a mountain range. At the top of the mountain was the platform that held the tree. It was a small tree with monumental presence. Ceramic houses, a bakery, toy store, and church lit up the layout. In the center of the town was the churchyard with a manger surrounded by Magi and angels. Street lights lined the path to the train station complete with Santa and his sleigh on the rooftop. For years Christmas mornings greeted us with a new train to welcome the day. Keith kept the new train a secret until morning. One year it was a Puffer Belly blowing smoke, another year it was a troop train from WWll. As the years passed the layout has become tired, in need of repair. It's been in the basement collecting dust and was almost forgotten until a spark of Christmas past ignited and reminded us of the joy in Christmas mornings. This Christmas it will be lovingly restored. I can't wait to see which train will greet us.
