As I sit writing this post at my office window, I see and hear movements of Big Boy #4014. It arrived Friday at 2:15 pm in West Chicago. It was on public exhibit with its attendant cars for three full days. It leaves around 8 am this morning. It is now 6:40 am.
Big Boy is the world’s largest steam engine, as in railroad. It is 133 feet long, weighs a stunning 1.2 million pounds. Totally rebuilt from the ground up, this original behemoth was designed as a workhorse locomotive for grueling western mountains, high plains, deserts and such. It was last in service in 1959. Union Pacific brought it back to life for a national tour in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of completion of the transcontinental rail line.
On this day it is preparing to move on out into Iowa and parts far west of Illinois. I suspect a few thousand will gather to watch her leave town. That will cap the throngs of 45,000 visitors in the past few days. Quite a gathering of train enthusiasts. Generations of families still in love with trains.
This is one of the comings and goings of life.
Another is Rocky’s leaving hospital this Friday, August 2. He came into the hospital system on July 6, stayed thru ER to a transfer to Chicago, surgery, recovery, then another ambulance ride to Wheaton and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital. Four weeks of intense nursing care and physical therapy, and Rocky prepares to come home for the long term. A coming, a going, a coming, a going, another going and yet another coming. Four weeks in strange surrounds, some of which will not be remembered.
On other fronts comings and goings are natural routines – commuting, grocery shopping, taking kids to and from school, church going, visiting family and friends – the many errand routines we have built into our lives. Comings and goings.
Institutions witness these as well. Leadership changes. Technology remakes. Product introductions and obsolescence. Comings and goings.
Government institutions, too. Even media institutions – new ones, new technologies, new talking heads, new methods – all coming and going at different times to really confuse the messages shared.
Will we protect those less fortunate than us? Will we preserve and protect the planet and her resources so vital to our well-being? Will we welcome new residents to our shores? Will we build strong relationships of caring and love and respect with other nations?
Will we be decent citizens of the world and neighborhood? Will these values come and go?
And why?
All I ask is why? Why must the good things go while lesser comes in its place? Have we no choice in this destiny?
July 31, 2019
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