Seeing with the eyes of a child
Given the dark and cold winter months and the current state of the world, it is essential to create some magic. Children see and experience magic more easily than adults.
Each year, Reed and I try to do something special to celebrate the Christmas season. This year, we bought tickets on the Woonsocket Polar Express. The Polar Express, written by Rhode Island author, Chris Van Allsburg, is a beloved childhood book for many. Published in 1985, it wasn’t part of my childhood, as I was graduating from medical school. However, I was familiar with the 2004 movie in which Tom Hanks was the conductor.
Providence--Worcester Railroad
The old mill town of Woonsocket, located in the northwest corner of Rhode Island, has transformed their train depot, built in 1882, and Providence and Worcester Railroad line into the Polar Express for the past 25 years.
We did everything wrong. We didn’t purchase our tickets in July and didn’t wear matching flannel pajamas. Thinking the Christmas village at the depot would sell food, we didn’t eat dinner and filled our stomachs with a tasty soft pretzel and an expensive bucket of popcorn ($15).
We didn’t write letters to Santa inside the depot, but had fun watching parents and grandparents help their children do so on kindergarten-size tables and chairs.
The show started on a stage outside the station where an elf warmed up the frozen crowd with songs and cheers. After we passed through the wooden gate, fake snow twirled in front of the lights as we found out way to the “Cupid” car. Each train car was named for Santa’s reindeers. Elves dressed as chefs and waiters entertained our car during the 45-minute ride to the North Pole. They read the Polar Express story from gigantic books; served hot chocolate and rather bland cinnamon cookies; passed out polar express mugs, which we declined not needing any more “stuff;” and led the car in song. The North Pole was a funeral home decked out with colored lights and elves dancing around in the fake snow. On the trip back to the depot, an authentic looking Santa came through the car greeting each adult and child and handing out silver bells—I’m critical of Santas because I helped my dad play Santa for years. Then the elves on the train led more songs and started the following excitement . . .
Reed sent the video to friends who had disparaged what we were doing, as well as to his sister and mine. A sister responded with a funny comment that we can no longer recall, but the result was belly laughs. The gut shaking, eyes tearing, and heart cleansing hilarity that was unexpected—total gift. The magic had happened. Our judgments about the event, the drudgery of the day, and worry about the current state of the world disappeared. Innocence and fun blessed us.
May you see through the eyes of a child and find some magic this holiday season.
Peace to us all.