I found these beautiful words a while ago. I do not know the source of where they came from but I think they have been distilled from this poem “Life is like a train ride” by John A Passaro
I love what the analogy expresses about life and death and wanted to share it with you.
THE TRAIN OF LIFE
“At birth, we board the train and meet our parents, and we believe they will always travel by our side.
As time goes by, other people will board the train; and they will be significant i.e. our siblings, friends, children, and even the love of your life.
However, at some station our parents will step down from the train, leaving us on this journey alone.
Others will step down over time and leave a permanent vacuum.
Some, however, will go so unnoticed that we don’t realise they vacated their seats.
This train ride will be full of joy, sorrow, fantasy, expectations, hellos, goodbyes, and farewells.
Success consists of having a good relationship with all passengers requiring that we give the best of ourselves.
The mystery to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will step down.
So, we must live in the best way, love, forgive, and offer the best of who we are.
It is important to do this because when the time comes for us to step down and leave our seat empty we should leave behind beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
I wish you all a joyful journey.” Unknown
As an End of Life Doula, it is my honour to be there on the train of life for the part of the journey that occurs before the station arrives.
To be able to assist the person to step down at the right time.
To provide the support and guidance that enables the doors of the train carriage to open and an easy step onto the station platform to occur.
To enable the person to stand on the platform and wave the train of life goodbye.
AND
To also offer support to those on the train to relish in the beautiful memories left in the empty seat and to say goodbye as the train of life continues its journey.
About Nicolette
The End of Life Care provides resources, information and guidance which enables you to understand the End of Life process and instils a sense of confidence and control.
Nicolette is an End of Life Doula, who provides a compassionate approach to life and death.
She provides care at every step of the journey, allowing everyone involved the opportunity to feel supported, nurtured and safe.
Her purpose is to provide a heartfelt engagement with life while providing a compassionate, supported and informed approach to death.
Nicolette provides specialist non-medical care to those who are dying and offers emotional and practical support to the caregivers.
She creates a transformative experience for all involved by providing a safe and sacred holding space that leads to peace of mind and a sense of security.
Nicolette is a qualified Social Worker and Art Therapist.
Wow Nicolette, they were beautiful words. Life is like a train ride has really touched a chord with me today. Thank you for this beautiful reminder. xx
So moving
My husband & I are writing our memoirs ( almost done!) and would like to use on the back cover the ” Train of Life” poem. Would that be illegal or unethical? We would alter it slightly to better reflect our faith . Does anybody know who wrote it?
Got into this late when my brother sent me the poem. I wanted to know more about it and ran across this.
IMO, to “alter it slightly to better reflect our faith” would be the unethical thing. Use it as it is, with “unknown” attribution, and add a note after to reflect your faith, if necessary. I think it is good just as it stands and let others interpret it based on their faith (as you did).
Heart felt
I would love to get a written copy of this most beautiful poem if at all possible or any information on size etc
Sorry. I have no idea who wrote it. You could try googling to see if you can find the author.
This is a translation of Le train de la vie, a piem written by the renently deceased French writer, ean d’Ormesson. It is often read at French funerals, including that of my cousin last week.
What a thoughtful writing about our lives!
This beautiful prose reflects so beautifully in a way which is far more acceptible the things each of us would like to say to those we love so dearly. It reminds us to cherish the important things in life-our relationships with passengers. Everything else in life is vanity and is simply insignificant. When we get off, we take “nothing” with us!!! Everything stays on the train !!! So, how important is it really??? Shouldn’t ALL our time be focused on the relationships we make during the journey???
This beautiful poem was written by the French novelist Jean d’Ormesson. You can hear it recited in French here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlaAa_bhDg0
Happy living Tony Stamp tonystampfr@gmail.com
theree is a painting that inspired this poem , google the painting , I think a lawyer wrote the poem .
It is beautiful!
The original text is in French and is written by a gentlemen called Jean d’Ormesson.
First heard of this way of looking at life from my G P. This is how some Asian faiths look at life and death. I had not long lost my daughter. Think it is really beautiful.