Through Good Times and Bad

Image originally uploaded by Kharied

Today on the train...well actually last Friday, but I'm trying to stick to my new posting schedule of Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday.

Anyways, this post is going to start out a little hairy, but I promise the ending will be well worth it.

As I descended into the train station there was a train just leaving that was PACKED, and people were still standing on the platform. Automatically I already know that something has happened to slow down the train schedule. Even during rush hour, Los Angeles still isn't a train city, so only on rare occasions are the trains completely full.

I get on the next train, with no problem, and even get my preferred seat, but the train is running slower than normal. Finally the conductor tells us that there has been an accident on the tracks so all of the trains are only using one track. We come up to the station nearest the accident and there are tons of people on the platform that proceed to pile onto our train. It was like those pictures you see of trains in Japan, packed in like sardines. There are only two options for people in this situation, become annoyed or become friendly. Luckily all the people I was around were the friendly sort.

But unfortunately, it appeared the "accident" was that someone was hit by the train. I've heard that the line that I take is the most dangerous in the country, mostly because the majority of it is street level and people just test their luck way too often.

Moving on to a happier story. There was an African-American mother with a four year old son and a one year old son in a stroller. A few stops after they got on an Indian family got on with an older son about the same age and a younger daughter in a stroller. As soon as the little girl's stroller pulled up next to the little boy, he popped his head up and smiled a big ole smile! The little girl was tentative but proceeded to smile back just as big.

The little boy put out his hand and she reached out hers and they held hands like that for a few stops. It was so sweet! It really captured everyone's attention and I saw smiles on faces all around.

It was a polarizing ride. One moment I'm imagining a family mourning the loss of a loved one and the next moment joy and friendship is being made.