The Bell Still Rings for Us

All Aboard The Polar Express!

By,

Jennifer E. Miller

The Polar Express exists. Not just the story, the train; the actual train. Believers of Santa ride The Polar Express all the way to the North Pole. With the super powers of Grandma Joyce*, we had seats secured. The magic starts in the town of Elbe WA, where we board the locomotive. It's like being in the movie. Riders wear pajamas (we opted for robes), get special gold boarding tickets, enjoy hot hot...well, now, I can't divulge everything in the introduction paragraph can I?...

Toot! Tooooooot! blows the whistle.

"All aboard the Polar Express!" announces the conductor. With our tickets in hand, we hop on the train and take our seats. The Polar Express theme song playing through the sound system. The conductor keeps on his very tight schedule, but finds time to punch our tickets, dusting us with confetti remnants. The engine exhausts its sizzling steam and the train lurches forward to begin our journey.

First, of course, we are served hot! hot! chocolate! The wait staff dances to the hot chocolate song up and down the aisle then twirl to present us with a cup of hot hot chocolate and a cookie.

Just as we lean back and relax in our seats, the Hobo shows up. No! No! No! Not Grandpa Darren*; the Hobo from The Polar Express. He makes his rounds, ensuring there aren't any Santa doubters aboard.

Good news! Everyone is a believer and we approach the North Pole. It's dark outside and we can't see a thing. But then, we glide by glittery houses, and soon the twinkling sparkle of the town's Christmas tree comes into view. There, in front, waving to us, is Mr. C. 

 He is seen for only a moment, and disappears.

Where did he go? Isn't he supposed to greet the children aboard The Polar Express before departing on his sleigh? Maybe we aren't true believers after all. 

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" says a jolly voice.

Who's there? wonder the kids. 

They turn around to see a man with a white beard and a velvety red suit. 

What do you know? We are all believers after all. 

Photo from Grandma Joyce

But that's not all. Santa has a surprise. The first gift of Christmas. Can you guess what it is? That's right. A bell. A shiny, crisp, jingly bell. 

The ride back is filled with singing and Christmas Carols. The kids get to dance in the aisle to their hearts' content.

In this version of The Polar Express, Gia* doesn't have a hole in her robe's pocket. The bell makes it safely home. It's hanging in a souvenir picture frame along with a photo. When tapped, even Tom* and I can hear it. A reminder that no matter how old we are, "the bell still rings for me."

*(Names changed for privacy)