Two days before Thanksgiving and I’m making my commute from my job in Baltimore back to DC. There’s a six piece band playing Christmas music in the lobby of Penn Station. The lead singer, in her silver sequined gown with golden locks hitting her right at the shoulder, looks oddly out of place. Looks aside, this woman can blow! The jazz band, playing softly but beautifully is nice addition to the train station.
We’ve got all kinds in the station today. The young woman sitting next to me with her matching lime green luggage and skinny jeans on has just left the hairdresser. How do I know? Well, she doesn’t have rollers in her hair but those silver hair clips tell me she goes to the Dominicans (it’s a Black thing) for a wash & set and she specifically asked to keep the clips in so her hairdo would last.
The older couple standing in front of me look like they are heading out to visit family. They’ve been together a long time and I bet this argument they are having is a repeat of one they’ve had many, many times.
All in all people seem a little nicer with the music playing. Although there is a buzz of stress in the air as holiday travelers watch the board and sigh when the status reads their train is “delayed 20 minutes”. Those waiting to catch the MARC train I’m riding home are hoping we aren’t late also because they have flights to catch at BWI or Amtack trains to make at Union Station. Which makes me wonder, who is going to be entertaining the waiting passengers in DC? I’m expecting big things from them although I didn’t notice a thing when I boearded this morning.
It does make me wonder why we don’t have a band at the station every day? I mean, I know’s it comes down to a budgeting issue but why can’t we be filled cheer and music all year long? What, we get six weeks of kindness and the gift of music then it’s back to the grind?
Oh well, I’ll enjoy it while I can. Gotta go now… my train is ready to leave and isn’t late today… for a change…
Happy Holidays!
