The Train Ticket

The Train Ticket

I gave my grandson, upon his graduation from High School, a battered old train ticket, dated June of 1961. He was always to keep it with him, and refer to it whenever his life went awry.
Background

I was a young soldier stationed in Metz, France. I was sent to a hospital in Landsthul, Germany because I was diagnosed to have had a collapsed lung.

After my treatment, I was given a train ticket to get back to France. Here is where the story begins: After many zigs and zags, the train was stopped at a small German town and tickets were inspected. I will never know whether the ticket

I was given was the wrong ticket, or if I had simply boarded the wrong train. But, the result was the same: I was thrown off the train – by two burly German policemen.

This was an experience not to be forgotten easily. The police were big, and I wasn’t.

There I was stranded in a small German town, not speaking the language. Because of the circuitous route the train had taken, I had no idea as to what direction to take to get back to Metz.

It seemed to me that the only course of action was to hitchhike back to my duty station. Problem: I didn’t know which way to go. I didn’t have a clue! You see, I had no sense of direction, then or now.

But, I figured some action was better than none, so I simply found a road that led out of town, and put my thumb out somehow trusting in fate.

Well, nothing happened. There were few cars in this little town and of the few there were none bothered to even slow down for this sorry looking soldier with a duffel bag.
So, I did what reason dictated: I simply changed directions and hitchhiked on another street going another way. Since I didn’t know which way to go, it didn’t seem to make much difference anyway.

Well, almost immediately I was picked up by an American officer, a major. He was not going to Metz, but going right through it.

What are the odds?

I knew even then at the tender age of 20 that here was a Life Lesson, although it did take me a while to fully realize its full meaning. But eventually I did figure it out, and lived my life accordingly. So, this is what I told my grandson:

The Advice Given to My Grandson

Jeff, I want you to keep this ticket with you at all times and refer to it when you have a problem. You know the story and background. Here is the lesson I learned and I want you to remember it.

During your life, even though it all looks clear now and without any foreseeable problems, I can absolutely guarantee you that you will be thrown off your train, many times during your life’s journey.

When that happens, and it will, remember the story I told you – and here is the moral:

First: When I was hitch hiking in the wrong direction nothing happened. No one stopped for me.
But, when I changed directions this time actually going in the `right` direction - I got a ride almost immediately.

Interesting, isn’t it? Coincidence? Could this possibly be one of the lessons in life? I think so!

Second: Just imagine if that had not happened (being thrown off the train), I would have spent several hours on a 2nd class train seat, which meant:

I probably would have had no one with whom to converse
It would have been crowded and stuffy (that was the nature of 2nd class train tickets at that time) and
It would have made several stops along the way.

Instead, when I was picked up:
It was in an air conditioned car, with a friendly American and we had an interesting and enjoyable discussion all the way back to Metz

And, I actually got back a lot sooner than I would have, even if had I been on the right train to begin with
So, when you are thrown off your train or tracks – it is for a reason, and that reason is:

There is a better plan for you – even though it may not be apparent at the time!

So, never lose faith in the future, even if at first you don’t know which direction to go...

Look at that old battered ticket every now and then and remember - there is a plan for you, always!