Friends of Dave #140: You Are A Freight Train
A poem as summer ends, kids return to school and we enter the home stretch.
Despite the train motif, the poem you can find just below is not really related to "The Station" essay that I included in the intro a few months ago (worth reading if you missed it, btw).
It is an original work I thought I would share with my Friends this long Labor Day weekend as I did with our son, who is heading off for his freshman year at college.
Something to think about as you and your teams prepare for Q4 or if you have any big, upcoming challenges ahead of you...I hope you like it.
Have a great weekend!
XOXO
Dave
The Freight Train
A father sits with his young children as they play on the porch.
They can hear a deep whistle, clanging bell and heavy rumbling in the distance
Getting louder and more distinct with each piston chug.
Do you hear that, kids?
THAT is a freight train.
You see, a freight train may not be the most sleek nor fast nor polished machine.
It may not bring people to the grandest destinations from their wildest dreams.
It may not be the most famous nor have cheering crowds and brass bands awaiting it when it arrives at its final destination.
But each freight train is unique and it is special.
It is able to make sure that lots of different things,
Big or small, heavy or light, living and important things
Get to the places that people need them to go.
Everyday it chugs.
Navigating steep hills, deep valleys, over bridges and around bends
Through light or dark, rain or snow,
Through howling wind, bitter cold and desert heat.
Sometimes it may need to stop and have another train help it carry its load.
Sometimes it may stop and offer to help other trains carry their loads.
Sometimes it may need rest.
Sometimes it may need encouragement.
Sometimes it may even break down.
Sometimes it may need love.
But through it all, a freight train finds a way to do what it was built to do.
And if we pay close attention sometimes it signals to us that it is okay.
You see, a freight train is strong, powerful and capable of doing amazing things.
And once it sets out to where it needs to go,
A freight train cannot easily be stopped!
The father then brings his children close to him and whispers:
Do you hear that, kids?
THAT is you.....YOU are a freight train.
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