Riding the rails

A few challenges met, a resolution or two kept; some sorrows and loss and more than a few frustrations. One more year behind me, a fresh one in the wings.

And instead of sitting home like I usually do, mulling over what shoulda, woulda, coulda been, I decided to finish the year with an exclamation point.

My granddaughters and I started out at IHOP where we had eggs, bacon and strawberry cheesecake pancakes.

Then we rode the train into downtown Dallas. There were few other passengers – in fact, our car was empty except for us. But this was an Adventure. For the entire ride into town, the girls chose to stand, holding onto the straps and poles. Every time the train took a curve, they swayed and giggled and held on for dear life. As we stepped off the train at our stop, I noticed a passenger in the car behind us grinning. It was impossible not to.

A few short blocks away, we came to the Dallas World Aquarium. A street musician danced in the street near the entrance, jazz pouring from his saxophone. We put some money in his tip jar and he stopped long enough to call out "Happy New Year!"

Middle Son joined us at the DWA. It's a pretty amazing place. We wandered around enjoying penguins, sharks, manatees, turtles, a good assortment of birds ("aquarium" seems to be merely the starting point), a sloth, frogs, snakes, lizards, and more. Elder granddaughter stopped for several minutes by the jaguar, waiting to take the perfect picture. Younger granddaughter rode on her uncle's back

We had lunch: younger granddaughter ordered pizza in the shape of a fish. Elder granddaughter tried to look offended when the waiter flirted with her. A stop by the gift shop, a visit with family members who were passing through, and it was back to the train station. The girls once again chose to stand and hold the straps. As they giggled and swayed with every turn we took, I noticed a young woman watching us. Disapproval was written all over her face. Her three young children sat meekly in their seats.

And it occurred to me how grateful I am for my middle-age. A few grey hairs, more than a few too many pounds, a touch of arthritis here and there... what a small price to pay to learn that sometimes cheesecake goes well with bacon. Sometimes you just have to go in search of Adventure. And sometimes the best way to experience life is to stand up straight, hang on tight and enjoy every twist and turn you take.

Happy 2011, everyone! If you see my train go by, I'll be the one hanging onto the strap.