Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Need Trains?

Yesterday Dr John and I went out to eat lunch as the people were looking at our house. The waitress gave us a big smile handed us the menu and said to John
"You have a lot of trains"
John said"Yes I do."
She said "You don't need that many trains. 40 or so."
She left. The comment stuck in my mind. No he didn't need those trains but yet yes he needed those trains. People who collect dolls, tea cups, shoes, cars etc don't need them either.
When he was in the hospital he was not responding to anyone. There was no conversation, just yes and no. He wasn't watching TV. He wasn't reading books. He was just there with no interest in anything. His sister[the one who doesn't like computers] and her husband came to visit . There wasn't much visiting until Paul asked about John's plan for Pigion Falls [not yet named]. Talking began John telling how Paul could help him in setting up the train layout. John began reading train magazines. For a life,John needed trains . We need other interests other than work, there is a need for play.

11 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

What was this person thinking? That was just rude. Everybody needs something they enjoy. My older daughter used to collect Beanie Babies. She recently got rid of them. Though we may have thought she was wasting her money, it was fun for her.

Maybe that woman was just having a bad day. Maybe she was jealous because she secretly wanted to collect something and was unable to do so.

6:22 AM  
Blogger Charlene Amsden said...

That waitress didn't need her ignorant opinion, either, but it didn't stop her from sharing it! Not only that -- we need Dr. John's trains -- and Pigeon Falls!

6:55 AM  
Blogger Margaret said...

Wow, I can't believe she blurted that without knowing the situation. My own husband could fair quite well with far less computers, parts, tools, printers, screws and harddrives cluttering up our space -

- but it is his livlihood. There is no way I would take from him what he has managed to consolidated into work AND play. I love him far too much.

7:38 AM  
Blogger Lori's Minute said...

You said it sister!

Everybody needs something. That is why I am glad he is able to blog about Pigeon Falls during the winter when he is not able to get outside.

I think Pete would get very depressed if he did not have computers or football.

1:04 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

My kids whould be very sad if grandpa did not have all those trains. They look forward to spend time with grandpa and his trains. They touch not only Dads life making him contuniue on after a very hard time, but gives him a speacial bond with his grandkids with very wonderfull memories.

Patrick

1:38 PM  
Blogger Bella said...

For someone to tell a person that they don't need something is like telling someone they don't need character. It's quite obvious that lady lacked any kind of character whatsoever.

Comments like that upset me.

2:12 PM  
Blogger starbender said...

One mans collection should be as large as can be! U'r right! I collect keys, and I never have enough! I luv 'em....., but they are very hard to come by!
maybe someday I will post my keychain!

;]

1:11 AM  
Blogger Bazza said...

Give me play any day.

4:00 AM  
Blogger Neoma said...

Silly people huh, deciding for us what we need. I think you have summed it up exactly, we need things to enrich our life, how many depends on many factor's. But I think the woman's comment just showed us one thing, she doesn't really know Dr. John. Can you imagine how many of us would be sad if he didn't have those trains. He has enriched all our lives with his trains and his interest in them......

1:49 PM  
Blogger Louisiana said...

i have no 'need' for all my turtles or my daughters for their stuffies but really they do bring us joy and comfort...that waitress was mighty wrong. there are many things that bring us comfort and joy and help us over many humps..i'm glad that Dr. John not only had you and the rest of the family but his trains and projects to help him heal...

sweet dreams tonight my dear.

6:27 PM  
Blogger oldfartswife said...

Hi Betty,
Dr John seems like a great person, I am sure it did not bother him.
He is sharing more than his trains with his friends, I have been reminded of a few things that I had forgotten, or lost, just by reading his words.
WOO-WOO---chugga--chugga

8:00 AM  

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