Dec
Wunjo Rail
The annual train show ended this afternoon. It took over an hour to take down our layouts and pack everything away. Each piece of track had to be disconnected, and all the accessories had to be boxed and packed. We were tired by the time everything was loaded for the ride home.
Train shows are part of the modern Winter holiday season. For the young, they are a source of fascination. The toy trains are a reminder of memories for older folks. Young or old, the little electric railroad is a thing of joy. We have been part of this train show now for eight years. The show itself has been around for fourteen years. It is part of the larger holiday weekend festival in Ocean Grove, NJ.
The Wunjo Rune was very much in evidence. Toy trains can evoke that joy easily, especially in the Yule season. For the children, it is the fun of seeing something they enjoy. Older people have the added matter of memories. The toy trains not only fascinate, they evoke memories of youthful play and holidays long past. An expression of this is the number of adults who spontaneously tell us of their own childhood experiences with electric trains. Part of their joy is in sharing that experience, even if it is to total strangers.
I am myself impressed by the ability of such a simple toy to arouse such strong feelings. For various reasons, Wunjo is always close at hand when toy trains are running. On one hand is the joy of new experiences for the young, and on the other the remembrance of old ones for adults. Both new and old are of Wunjo. It is certainly something to see.
