A machinist by trade, Mike worked at A.C.Layman Machine Company for 19 years until the business closed in 1996. In 1997 he joined Amtrak. His co-workers became his second family. and the wheel shop became his second home. Working evening shift, Mike was on his way to work to attend the shop Christmas party on the day he died.
The Wheel Shop
"You can build the most powerful locomotives and most comfortable, luxurious passenger cars, but you can't move them without wheels."
The Station
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.
But uppermost on our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a completed jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the minutes for loitering-waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.
"When we reach the station, that will be it: we cry."
"When I'm 18."
"When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes Benz!"
"When I put the last kid through college."
"When I have paid off the mortgage."
"When I get a promotion."
"When I reach the age of retirement."
Sooner of later, we must realize that there is no station, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.
"Relish the moment" is a good motto, espeically when coupled with Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It isn't the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
So, stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. Instead climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more, cry more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.
- Robert J.Hastings
Parting Thoughts
Thank you Mike, for the extraordinary journey you have taken us on. You touched so many lives in your short life. You brought joy and laughter and love to all who were fortunate enough to have known you. You lived your life well, thinking of others before you thought of yourself. Your rest in Heaven is well deserved.
Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
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| A special thank you to Sally McGrath for generously donating her time to help with the development of this website |
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision.We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle grazing on a distant hillside, of smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and rolling hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.
Thank you Mike, for the extraordinary journey you have taken us on. You touched so many lives in your short life. You brought joy and laughter and love to all who were fortunate enough to have known you. You lived your life well, thinking of others before you thought of yourself. Your rest in Heaven is well deserved.