I started out hopeful last "train" season, which begins in October, when the weather turns cold here in Pennsylvania. My layout was coming along, mainlines were in operation, and I was feverishly completing wiring for about 30 buildings, not a fun aspect. Then, one fiasco after another with new train purchases occurred. I am not going to repeat all the BS here I had to go through with all that, suffice to say that 5 out of 6 new train items had defects or had something break after some run time. To compound frustration, 2 out of the 4 trains I took out of storage had something wrong with them and couldn't be run.
Then, 2 weeks before Christmas, two deaths in the family occurred within 2 days of each other; my Uncle, died from complications from botched surgery, he was 81, and then my nephew, who was only 23 years old, died from heart failure, a result of drug overdose. Then, I learned a sad and terrible statistic, 22 veterans a day are committing suicide. We've lost more vets from suicide than all the losses in Irag and Afganistan, mostly combat vets who've seen terrible things, civilian and children tragedies. These young men and women deserve help, but many of them are forgotten about and the mental health services leave something to be desired. Maybe all this hit home hard because I once served, and I know the good and decent souls that serve our country. This tragedy essentially put everything into another perspective. Secular "stuff" and even my job, which I very much need, became unimportant. It did not feel like Christmas, and quite frankly I can't even remember feeling anything for the holidays, save the time my fiancé and I watched the Polar Express on New Years Eve, when I was able to briefly lose myself in the story.
As March approaches, I am again gaining traction in enthusiasm for the lighter side of the hobby, such as what I am calling the Polar Express and "Christmas" Division, an expansion that may or may not occur, depending on a few variables, where my job may take me being the key one. In another couple of months it'll be time to do outside activities. With any luck, I'll at least plan the PE expansion, and who knows, maybe even begin to implement the plan.
I attached a couple of pictures of the layout as-is, as well as videos a family member took (they're on the dark side but the best I have). While I am pleased with the "scale" city I built, my new found perspective, actually the rediscovered perspective, for this hobby is the light-hearted elements, such as Christmas, Polar Express, Department 56, general fantasy items. O-gauge is a niche hobby, and I am glad that Lionel licensed and makes the PE and Christmas items, with the wonderful sound effects, so that we can still try to capture and create those magical and blissful times of youth. I still enjoy the "scale" aspects of the hobby and have some great trains and accessories; combining them together is what O-gauge does best.