When I was only two years old, my mom and dad went on what my dad referred to as a "baloney spread." It meant that we would pack a lunch, grab a quilt and look for a clearing along the roadside that had some beauty or a sense of peace. This is how we travelled for my entire childhood.

My earliest memory is of a particular "baloney spread." It was in a clearing along a railroad track. Like I said I was in my two's, before I had any brothers and sisters. It was just the three of us. Our quilt was spread out quite a distance from the track but we had a clear and fairly long view of it.  

My father was laying on the quilt with his head held up by his elbowed arm. My mom was sitting next to me fixing me a sandwich. The sun was shining on us but we had sweaters which makes me think it was the fall of the year. I can still remember that train coming around the bend. When I heard it, I was soooo excited.  And then my excitement magnified as I sat on that blanket and waved to the conductor and he waved back. He and I kept waving until he was out of sight.

For years I have wondered at this memory. It was such a non-memorable incident. Recently I gave it some more thought because of a book I am reading "Attitudes of Gratitude" by M.J. Ryan. The mystery of the significance is solved because I recognize the emotions of the day. My mom and dad were sooooo happy that day. The beauty of our surroundings was in the air. My father was starting to recover from WWII and relax a little. My excitement about seeing a train was a beautiful thing to them  I can still feel their love emanating to me and the beauty of the moment.

Attitudes of Gratitude Blog by M.J. Ryan