Train

I just retrieved a missed call from my sister, Teresa. She was calling after she left our parents’ house for the last time. The closing is today at 5:00 pm. She said that as she left and drove down Montague Avenue she was stopped at the tracks by a train. How appropriate – and how normal. That train has stopped us any time of day or night, whenever we were in a hurry or just taking our time. Life in North Charleston, especially our neighborhood, has been dictated to by the freight trains carrying wood chips to the paper mill and other cargo for decades.

This is truly the end of one track in the journey of our lives … it is really bittersweet for me. I have always thought that this song by John Mayer was almost written with me in mind. Today it really hits home.

"Stop This Train"

No I'm not color blind, I know the world is black and white
Try to keep an open mind but...I just can't sleep on this tonight
Stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't
But honestly won't someone stop this train

Don't know how else to say it, don't want to see my parents go
One generation's length away
From fighting life out on my own

Stop this train
I want to get off and go home again
I can't take the speed it's moving in
I know I can't but honestly won't someone stop this train

So scared of getting older, I'm only good at being young
So I play the numbers game to find away to say that life has just begun
Had a talk with my old man, Said help me understand
He said turn 68, you'll renegotiate
Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
Don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly we'll never stop this train

See once in a while when it's good
It'll feel like it should
And they're all still around
And you're still safe and sound
And you don't miss a thing
'til you cry when you're driving away in the dark.

Singing stop this train I want to get off and go home again
I can't take this speed it's moving in
I know I can't
Cause now I see I'll never stop this train.

John Mayer - Continuum

Pretty in Pink

For many years I shied away from certain colors: yellow, orange, red and pink. I remember telling my Mom that "I didn't wear red." I have found that I still look really sick in yellow and orange. I try to stay away from too much beige ... because with my coloring I tend to fade to one color with beige! I have found that the right shade of red looks rather nice ... usually a tomato red, something yellow based. But several seasons ago I fell in love with PINK. Not loud pink ... but a soft shade of pink that seems to look good against my already pink based complexion. My first item of pink was bought two Fall season's ago -- a Ralph Lauren V-neck pullover short sleeved cable sweater that I loved. It has been well worn and needs to be discarded badly. But what to replace it with? As I was shopping this week for Jenny's birthday presents I happened to find a perfect Jones of New York long sleeved shirt in just the right shade -- they called it "cameo pink." The cut of the shirt is classic, 100% cotton but easy care, and fit beautifully. Needless to say I bought it on the spot! I am trying really hard to build a decent wardrobe... piece by piece. Things that make me feel good regardless of size.