Saturday, November 23, 2019

Thanksgiving Magic by Helen C. Johannes


Last year we flew to Philadelphia to visit family. It was our first visit to the City of Brotherly Love, and we just happened to choose their coldest Thanksgiving ever. Being from northern climes, we knew how to dress for our typical get-around-town-in-the-car routine. But that didn’t prepare us for the ‘big city’ and having to walk 10-30 min. everywhere because parking is next to impossible. Brr.

We enjoyed the obligatory Philly Cheesesteak, visited the Liberty Bell, saw Ben Franklin’s grave, toured the fascinating Philadelphia Mint (amazing how they make coins), and learned how to use the commuter trains. Having visited London and ridden the Tube, this was pretty familiar territory. So was the basic drab, utilitarian nature of most stations and cars.

After a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner (which I didn’t have to make—yay!), we decided to spend Black Friday not shopping but seeing the Christmas offerings downtown. So we trudged 10 min. through the coldest morning of our stay, boarded the drab commuter train, and rode to see the Christmas Village, the Comcast show, and the Macy’s Dickens Village, stopping for supper at Reading Market. Exhausted by our full day out in the cold and wind, we trudged once more to the train station where we encountered…Thanksgiving Magic.

The drab, utilitarian train we’d ridden earlier that day had been transformed into a gift-wrapped wonder. We rode home in thankfulness for those who’d performed this magic.


Happy Holidays

Helen


Brave Men, Bold Women, Hearts in Search of Home


LORD OF DRUEMARWIN
THE PRINCE OF VAL-FEYRIDGE
BLOODSTONE








7 comments:

Helen C. Johannes said...

Glad to be here today. Hope you'll all share your magical holiday moments.

Lyn Cote said...

Sounds like a chilly experience! I'm glad you got to go.

Helen C. Johannes said...

Thanks for stopping by, Lyn. We've since learned Philly has a Halloween-decorated train too.

Ilona Fridl said...

Hi, Helen! Your trip to Boston sounded wonderful, even though it was cold weather. I love the cover on your new book!

Helen C. Johannes said...

Thanks, Ilona. I love the cover too!

Carol Ann Henry said...

Still, despite the cold, it sounds like you had a wonderful experience. Happy Holidays.

Helen C. Johannes said...

Yes, we did, Carol. Happy Holidays to you too!