Back in early November, Carmen and I began talking about what Papaw and I could get "the girls" for Christmas. We aren't so much in to "things" anymore... and Carmen suggested that we do something to make a memory instead of buying "gifts".We began discussing possibilities and I happened to remember that the Great Smokey Mountains Railway offers "The Polar Express" every year at Christmas.... we were all over it.
I had tickets ordered in a matter of minutes... bought one for Jonathan too, since he took a week of his vacation and would be with us on the 22nd. Now MeMe was JACKED! (I'm a bigger kid than any of my grandchildren.)
Papaw and I had taken Summerlyn on a train ride to New Orleans several years ago, and that same year at Christmas we took Tyler on a train ride to Richmond Virginia for his 13th birthday. That left Savannah and Scarlett who had never ridden on a passenger train and somehow according to me, it was OUR responsibility to see that they would experience that thrill. Hey - we could get two of them checked off in one trip, this way! And then along comes Luke so we have one more to go - but he has to be potty trained first.
I told the girls that we were going to have a suprise for Christmas and that was all I could tell them. "Are we going to have a tea party? Are we going to a concert?" and Carmen said Summerlyn asked at the dinner table one night if we were going to Florida! Carmen began prepping them to the fact that there would be NO wrapped presents under the tree from MeMe and Papaw this Christmas because we were doing something fun and different instead. They were ok with that. My grands have a GOOD "take" on what Christmas is all about anyway.
We were up and out the door of the boat to get the kids by 10:00. Coldest morning of the winter thus-far. 17 degrees...I remember thinking that we would be in a coach car and it should be well-heated. "That's good", I thought. "It's frigid outside."
Summerlyn, Savannah & Scarlett, the time is right now
For a Christmas surprise that will make you go, “WOW”
MeMe and Papaw love you so dearly,
We got JET to help us;Our plan has been clearly
To keep this a secret,You’ve wanted to know,
Are we having a tea party?
Are we going to a show?
Are we traveling to Florida?
The answer is NO!
It’s way more fun than you’ve ever thought.
You must have a ticket.
It’s already bought!
You’ll be SO excited when we tell you the rest…
You’re going for a ride…
For a Christmas surprise that will make you go, “WOW”
MeMe and Papaw love you so dearly,
We got JET to help us;Our plan has been clearly
To keep this a secret,You’ve wanted to know,
Are we having a tea party?
Are we going to a show?
Are we traveling to Florida?
The answer is NO!
It’s way more fun than you’ve ever thought.
You must have a ticket.
It’s already bought!
You’ll be SO excited when we tell you the rest…
You’re going for a ride…
