Is it strange that toy trains still come with cabooses? It is unlikely that Joshua will ever see one scooting along at the end of a freight train, because they are rarely used these days.
Nostalgia is great, but cabooses served another purpose in my brain. They were a sure sign that the train was finished. You see, there is some remote possibility that the train could split in the middle, and the second half could come along, still at high speed, a while after the first half has passed. For some reason that stuck in my brain and I always look down the track to check before crossing the tracks after a train delay.
There are plenty of things in life that need a caboose. A "this is the end" marker. A sign that lets you know that you can move along without worrying that something unexpected is about to hit you.
Dirty diapers are like that for sure. When you think that the moment is right to "cross the tracks" and change the diaper, you just may get hit with some extra … freight.
On a more serious note, I wonder if modeling how to deal with life's uncertainties and unexpected twists isn't one of the most important things we teach our kids.
Do we seek understanding or make rash assumptions?
Live our faith or lose it?
Give up or press on?
Adapt well or pretend like we didn't just get hit by a train?
I know he will learn to deal with things by watching his parents.
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