My Journey

I left Sacramento on the California Zephyr Tuesday morning May 28 2013, after five lovely days with Mark and Dorothy and their family. We had come together to celebrate Shannon's high school graduation. I was looking forward to another 40 hours of rest, reflection and just watching the world go by. An event occurred which qualifies for inclusion in my life story as 'remarkable.'

At noon on Wednesday, I sat at a table in the dining car with three strangers. I sat with three strangers at every meal because the dining car staff will not allow one person to sit at a table alone. I go to the dining car for a break from the coach car experience and I look forward to conversation with fellow travelers. At this meal, Bob sat across from me and to his right was a woman named Donna. Jo sat to my left. As we waited for our food, we began to share more information about ourselves and our travel plans. Bob lives in the Bay Area and was on his way east to visit family and eventually spend much of the summer in a cottage he and his wife own in Southern France. I mentioned that I had been in California to see my granddaughter walk across the stage to get her diploma and I was on my way back home to Lincoln, Nebraska. Bob interrupted to say, "I have two fraternity brothers who work for the University there." Internally, I had two thoughts in response to his statement. First, 'I know so few people at UNL anymore, is it worthwhile to ask for their names?' Then a thought came from the intuitive part of me suggesting that I ask Bob for the name of his fraternity. Again, I find myself thinking, 'Now why would I ask for that information?' However, I have learned to trust my inner voice and verbally stated the question.

"Acacia," was Bob’s answer. Before I could respond, he added: "I graduated from Iowa State in 1957." He wanted to tell me the names of his friends in Lincoln but I already knew: Dick Perrin and Keith Sawyers! Herb was a member of Acacia Fraternity and graduated from Iowa State in August 1957. He went to Iowa State on the GI Bill which provided financial aid to veterans who had served during The Korean War. Herb attended Fort Dodge Community College for two years before he was drafted into the military and needed two years or more to finish a Bachelor's Degree. He and Bob had been in school together at Iowa State for those two years, they were fraternity brothers, and both were actively involved in Student Religious Council! Bob knew Herb's closest friends: Stan Long, Ron Weise, and Denton Erickson. Chances are, Bob and I participated in exchanges between Sigma Kappa Sorority and Acacia--maybe even danced with each other at one of those events!

What a surprise for both of us! I was stunned and feeling a little disoriented as I was jarred out of my 2013 life back to the distant reality of 56 years ago and June 1957 when Herb and I met in summer school. This shock was replaced by the delight of a chance encounter just because I insist on going to the dining car for every meal when I travel on AMTRAK.

c2013 Janet Waage Lingren

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