And this is Anna

Taking the train was an absolute pleasure from start to finish. Starting in Hornsby and then heading to Broadmeadow-the timing was perfect because I got off the first train and the next train arrived within minutes. The conductor came off the train and she was adorably cute and sweet looking like an Olivia Newton John. She informed me that I would be able to buy my ticket on the train and told me to wait in Car G.

As I was the only one in that car waiting, I saw an older woman come on the train and she was being assisted by her family and the train crew. She clearly had Parkinsons disease and her family was dropping her to take the train on her own. The love….oh the love in her son/daughters eyes.  They kept hugging her and the staff smiled so deeply stating, “Don’t worry we will take good care of her.”

The family waited until the train was going to leave and said, “Goodbye Anna. We love you.”

I watched as she went to the front car, which was first class….and I did not expect to see her again, but I felt content because I knew the staff were taking good care of her.

The conductor kept me in Car G all by myself, which was so peaceful and then she told me I could go to the buffet to pay for my ticket….the buffet was the area for eating and buying food-Australia has a tremendous amount of slang and you have to tune into really listening to what they are saying.

After I paid for my ticket, I went back into my Car G enjoying the views and a couple people joined me-no big deal. The conductor came up and down the aisles to check on me and I was enjoying the lush green trees, rivers, forests from town to town. Do I ever get a bad day of weather on the train? It is really the most divine and peaceful experience.

Observing the people, it appeared they just got nicer and happier from stop to stop perhaps the further away you go from Sydney the better you end up-such a big city, so much commotion, too many tourists and way too diverse for my tastes- it felt like I was visiting China at times.

I ate a vegan curry pie on the train that was delicious and I was really content watching my Netflix show “Desperate lies” and taking breaks to watch the train turn down the line from stop to stop.

It was finally time for my stop at 3:40pm and I saw Anna standing and waiting. She was making nice conversation with me asking me where I was going, telling me about the houses in Bellegen and the limited bus from the station.

She said, “You have to take off some of those clothes-it is too hot for you.”

I definitely agreed and asked her about her plans for Bellegen and she stated that she lives there and she loves it. She was so proud of this little city and I definitely learned why. She had a small open picnic basket with a autobiography of a famous artist, some cigarettes, snacks and hand towels.

When we arrived, her son or family member was there and she said, “We have someone else to drop in town and he looked at me and said, “Sure that’s quite alright.” Another women was driving and she also introduced herself.

She said, “ hi my name is Kate.” These people greeted me like they were not just waiting for Anna….but they were waiting for me.

She was having a difficult time getting into the car, but she insisted that she was fine and could do it by herself. Her shaking was consistent-something similar to Michael J. Fox. Perhaps similar as he is very kind, courageous, and an inspiration. 

They were so kind, so welcoming, and so proud of their little town Bellegen.  They were just giving me the sweetest tour, “This is the valley of the God’s-it is always so green and scenic. This is the waterfall drive and the Dirro where you can climb to the top and enjoy a tea. The coffee shops in town, the antique shops, Kurma to get organic food products and fresh fruits.

Anna said, “ Stop by the lake I want her to see it.”

She was telling me that she always wanted to go to New Zealand and she never went, but Australia is so full of beauty and many things to see. She was such a breathe of fresh air and exactly the right person to meet at the right time. They showed me the river and told me “Go and Go.” Basically encouraging people to take care of the land and not poop in the water. Anna was laughing that people are still doing this after all these warnings.

When I left, I looked at Anna and said, “Thank you.” I wanted to hug her for all her kindness and how she knew on that train that I had no plan on how to get to my accommodation. She was the reason everything worked out because she did not want to leave me alone.

She wanted me to feel happy, welcomed, and taken care of, which is the definition of hospitality. Anna was older about 82 and I could not figure out the relationship with Kate and Scott, but she said that she was his second wife. I was super confused with all of this, but did not say a word.

Anna had this magic in her eyes, this wisdom that was present  

Kate invited me to a walk she was going on Tuesday and she took my number down. It was sad saying goodbye to Anna, but we all said that we would see each other again….sooner rather than later…

"Your Parkinson's does not define you rather your Strength and courage do Anna."