Midnight Stops on the "Shelly Express"
When we stayed in a train car (converted into hotel room) at the Chattanooga Choo Choo for the first couple nights of our honeymoon 33 years ago, we never dreamed that one day we'd experience a very different kind of train trip. Last night around midnight I was staring into the darkness, praying that I could go back to sleep. Trying to make myself believe that I really WAS comfortable and hoping I didn't have to wake up my dear husband to help reposition me, yet again. After awhile I heard a small “growl” with each breath as I detected a bit of annoying mucus building up in my airway. I waited several minutes until the growl became more of a gurgly cough and then I reluctantly turned on the string of mini lights around our bedroom ceiling to awaken Kevin. He yawned, rolled over, put some drops in his dry eyes and hopped up to help me. “What can I do for you, dear?” he asked pleasantly. I'm always amazed as he patiently, uncomplainingly, serves me. I point or do sign lan