I'm glad to see you're back to the trains again Lee. It's hard for me to imagine what I'd be doing in a similar circumstance, but hopefully family will help ease the pain a little.

 

What he said . . .

I was saddened to hear of your wife's passing, Lee, and could certainly understand your loss of passion even for a pastime that has obviously given you a lot of joy over the years. Being relatively new to the forum, I stood by silently as you recounted your loss in earlier posts, but privately I hoped that, with the passage of time and the support of your family and friends, you might eventually be able to re-engage. I'm glad to see that that process has brought back some of the enjoyment and passion you've evidently had for the hobby (and by the way, based on the photos, asking if Grandpa "still has his trains" takes on a whole 'nother level of meaning in your family! 👍). Good luck over the holidays, and welcome back to your layout!

 

Sometimes we just need a little push. I'm glad to see that you're having family over for Thanksgiving. I'm sure the kids are looking forward to seeing you & the trains. Just keep busy it helps with the grieving process.

 

Good that you are having fun with the trains. Running the trains for kids and seeing their joy/enthusiasm is one of the best parts of the hobby. My granddaughter will be here on Thursday. She is only 11 months old, but I’m looking forward to getting her trained up.

I think we have all missed the threads on your innovative projects.

Just curious. Was your wife into the trains? Mine is indifferent at best…except when kids come to see them.

 

Lee Willis Wonderful layout ! Love it ! Could you post more photos ? Thanks.

 

Do a search on Lee's posts, you'll find tons of photos of his layout.

 

Glad to see you're getting back into your trains after your wife's passing. My wife of 53+ years died 19 months ago and your description of it being "like a switch went off" is so true. Just take things a day at a time and with the support of family and friends you will adjust to the new normal.

 

Fantastic to hear that the Grandkids will be visiting and running the trains. Take care Lee, we all miss ya.

 

I kept wanting to reach out and see if we were going to see more activity on your layout but felt that was selfish. As with others, I am glad to see you back!

 

Glad to see you are back LEE. Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family especially the Grandkids. They will remember this Thanksgiving forever.

 

They will ember this Thanksgiving forever.

Yes, they'll keep the glowing coals of this year's holiday alive in their memories! (Sorry, just couldn't resist! )

 

Lee I lost my wife 7 years ago. What you described is exactly how felt since she was just involved as I was. Took me the better part of a year before I could even go into the layout room in my basement. At some point I eased back to it. Even that was tough since she had done a lot of the scenery. I gradually got to the point where I decided me staying away from the trains was definatlt not something she would have been happy with me doing. Now I look at what she did and it just gives me fond memories and I like it.
Sorrry for your loss.

Kenny

 

Nothing better for healing than trains. Great step forward.

 

I’m so sorry to hear of your wife dying. Sometimes, when things get rough, finding the motivation to carry on is a tall order. I am happy to hear that you have relatives that share your interest in trains. I hope that your Thanksgiving is a good one.

 

Lee
Gunrunnerjohn said it all in post #2 would like to add Wishing you well.

 

What a relief to see you post again and know you are doing OK. It's all about the grandkids and you know your wife would've been overjoyed to know they were having fun with gramps and his trains.

So glad to see this post. It was a gut punch to us all.

 

Wishing you and your family.....

 

Lee, glad you are back to your trains. Yes, losing your wife changes everything. My wife died 7 years ago like Kenny's wife. Nothing is back to normal. She was my fishing buddy. The boat and me have not been back on the water since. She was not my train buddy. She just tolerated them. She loved Christmas, I have not had a tree up yet. I do not celebrate any Holidays. That was her thing. I really miss her Thanksgiving meal. I just do not do cooking. Sounds like I am depressed. Nope, Holidays are a little rough but most days are
not a holiday. And am doing fine on those days. Lee, hope you are doing fine. You have a great stable of locomotives and a nice layout. Enjoy them.

 

A really nice little book called "Good Grief" helped me through a tough loss of a loved one.

 

So sorry for your loss. Your layout is great.

 

Hope those kids and grandkids provide you with the biggest smile you've had in a long time.

Happy Thanksgiving Lee.

 

My deepest condolences to those of you who have had terrible losses. Unfortunately later life is rife with them. I do hope everyone can find some small joy in the holiday, even if it is only going for a walk and appreciating the brisk fall air.

For those who cannot find some pleasure in most days, please do consider talking with a physician to be evaluated for depression. It is very common in life, and there is no shame in admitting to what is happening. Help is available and suffering can be mitigated in almost all.

I am thankful for many things this Thanksgiving, despite the usual aggravations and reminders of old age. I am thankful for the companionship of the internet, like this forum, because it allows people to connect and share in ways that were not possible in earlier eras. Godspeed all.

 

An event such as the one you have experienced, puts everything into a different perspective. Suddenly you realize what was, and is, really important In your life.

Moving away from pleasurable pursuits isn’t unusual. Whether you chose to become active with them once again or not, it is a sign of realizing that things unfortunately change and you learn to cope with the “new normal”. You may find a new passion.

Take your time coming back. Don’t force yourself right away. We all miss you, but the important thing is to be healthy and eventually happy again. It will hurt as long as it needs to…

Tom

 

This thread right here is why hobbies are and always have been such a crucial part of young men's lives. These groups are full of people without pretension and really comfortable in who and what they are, and ALWAYS incredibly supportive. So sorry to hear about your wife's passing Lee. Hope your model RR brings a smile to your face again.

 

Everything has been said already, so all I can is: all the best for the track forward.

AND as a foreigner who spent only 6 months in the USA and missed Thanksgiving, Happy Thanksgiving to all!

 

Well, Thanksgiving is over at the Willis household, at least for this year. It was good to see my oldest boy and his wife, but its the grandkids I seldom get to see - the parents often stop by when they travel on business. The grandkids I almost never see. I got to spend a morning at a bookstore with my 14-year old granddaughter which was truly magical. She loves science fiction, as do I (at least when it is good), and we spent an hour browing the sci-fi section and talkong about our favorite authors, and then nearly two more hours in the coffee shop section just talking about books. She never got to see my trains and I don't think she really was that interested. The next day she went off with her Mom, aunt, and various other women to visit wineries, while the buys all came over here, and played with the trains and then watched the World Cup.
My 12-year old grandson and his father were delighted to see the trains and to each grab a LC+ remote and control one of them for a while. Botht hought the train room was just fantastic, with its wall to wall shelves of trains, and all the trains running. My grandson has an eye for detail, like his great grandfather-- my Dad - did. He said he like running the train but loved just exploring the layout with "all the tiny detail." He caught a lot of it too, from a law office with his Uncle's name on it downtown, to the building with his Dad's business on it, to the Mama Bear and cub out in the rocky stream, fishing for salmon . . . to the people at dinner in the rooftop restaurant above the Woolworths downtown. He did ask me what a Woolworths was, which made me feel very old . . . So the trains were a hit. We had a good afternoon with them.

 

. . . to the people at dinner in the rooftop restaurant above the Woolworths downtown. He did ask me what a Woolworths was, which made me feel very old . . . So the trains were a hit. We had a good afternoon with them.

I recall eating banana splits at the Woolworth's snack bar in late 8th grade. I can't recall whether I read or heard this, but a gent relayed his senior moment when he overheard a young lass say to another: "Did you know Paul McCartney was in a band before wings?"

Hmmm ... maybe a new Union Station thread ... Senior Moments. It'll hurt but could be fun.

 

LOL on the Woolworths, that when you really know how old you are! Glad you had a good time with the family, hopefully it's helping with the healing process. Best wishes for the future Lee.

 

Sounds like you had a great holiday weekend. 👍