A step in time

​On Thursday, April 9, the hubby and I traveled to the west side of the state to give an Orphan Train Presentation at the Dowagiac Public Library. I’ve given many such presentations all over the state, but this one was different. Not in the content that was shared, but in the audience I was sharing it with. You see, Dowagiac has a personal history with the Orphan Trains, as the town was the destination of the very first orphan train and served as a test case to see if the program would work. While there were a few bumps along the way, the inaugural outplacement was a success thanks to the kindness of the townspeople, who first opened their homes to children who were in need.
Much like the children who arrived that chilly day in 1854, I arrived in town on Thursday, wondering if the townspeople would accept me. I know, I’m comparing apples to oranges, as I was not looking for a home. But I was coming to their town to share information that most of them probably already knew. I do not know how the children were greeted when they arrived filthy from days of traveling and scared yet excited about what awaited them, but in my mind, I hope they had as warm a welcome as I did there on Thursday evening, which ended up with all seats filled and people standing in the back of the room.
Tom (the director) was ready to help us set up, and the people who came to hear me were engaged, curious, and kind. In the end, it was much the same as all my other presentations, yet something about it felt extra special, almost as if in addition to those in the room, we had visitors from the past, waiting, listening, and excited to hear their stories haven’t been forgotten.
 
 #orphantrain #Dowagiac #Librarypresentation #puremichigan #Charlesloringbrace #History 

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