We get on.  
We ride.  
We get off.  
We get back on and ride some more.  
There are accidents and there are delays.  
At certain stops there are surprises.  
Some of these will translate 
in great moments of joys, 
some will result in profound sorrow.



When we are born and we first board the train, 
we meet people whom we think 
will be with us for the entire journey.  
Those people are our parents! 



Sadly, this is far from the truth. 
Our parents are with us 
for as long as we absolutely need them.  
They too have journeys they must complete. 
We live on with the memories 
of their love, affection, friendship, 
guidance and their ever presence. 



There are others who board the train 
and who eventually become 
very important to us, in turn.  
These people are our brothers, 
sisters, friends and acquaintances, 
whom we will learn to love, 
and cherish.



Some people consider their journey 
like a jaunty tour.  
They will just go merrily along.  
Others, 
will encounter many upsets, 
tears, losses on their journey.  
Others still, 
will linger on to offer 
a helping hand to anyone in need.



Some people on the train will leave 
an everlasting impression when they get off ...
Some will get on and off the train so quickly, 
they will scarcely leave a sign 
that they ever travelled along with you 
or ever crossed your path ...  
We will sometimes be upset 
that some passenagers whom we love, 
will choose to sit in another compartment 
and leave us to travel on our own.  
Then again, 
there's nothing that says 
we can't seek them out anyways.



That's okay, 
everyone's journey will be filled 
with hopes, dreams, challenges, 
setbacks and goodbyes ...  
We must strive to make the best of it ... 
no matter what ...  
We must constantly strive to understand 
our travel companions 
and look for the best in everyone.  
Remember that at any moment during our journey, 
any one of our travel companions 
can have a weak moment 
and be in need of our help. 
We too may vacillate or 
hesitate even trip ... 
hopefully we can count on someone 
being there to be supportive 
and understanding.



The bigger mystery of our journey 
is that we don't know 
when our last stop will come.  
Neither do we know when our travel companions 
will make their last stop.  
Not even those sitting 
in the seat next to us.  
Personally, 
I know I'll be sad 
to make my final stop ... 
I'm sure of it.	



My separation from all these 
friends and acquaintances 
I made during the train ride will be painful.  
Leaving all those I'm close to 
will be a sad thing.  
But then again, 
I'm certain that one day 
I'll get to the main station 
only to meet up with everyone else.  
They'll all be carrying their baggage ... 
most of which they didn't have 
when they first got on this train.	



I'll be glad to see them again.  
I'll also be glad to have contributed 
to their baggage ... 
and to have enriched their lives 
just as much as they will have 
contributed to my baggage 
and enriched my life.	



We're all on this train ride together.  
Above all, 
we should all try to strive 
to make the ride as pleasant 
and memorable as we can, 
right up until we each make 
the final stop 
and leave the train 
for the last time.	



All Aboard and Safe Journey!	

Author Unknown