My prayers go out for your mother. Think of her as the reason you can have challenges - - even in life.

Kevin

I am sorry for your loss and my prayers for you and your family also.  David is right, you wouldn't have any challenges if not for your mother.  It has been quite a few years since I lost my parents, but I still think of them almost daily.  Memories are one gift that governments can't tax away from us.  To honor my parents I plan to name businesses after them on my layout, if I can ever get it built.  Just an idea you might want to consider.

BTW you aren't alone.  It is starting to look like I may not get all of my challenges finished either.  Real life put a big headlock on my time and especially budget too.  We'll see what happens.

Yep I know what you mean. The last three years of my Mothers life were very difficult. She fell and became paralyzed below the waste. The doctor missed the injury. We sued, and the judge let the doctor get away with it. My Mother developed cancer, and had to go through Chemo, and had other complications. She passed away last October. She was my best friend, and we lived together the entire time. If it were not for my Wife and her Mother, I would not have been able to keep my mother here at home. I miss her till, she was the best.

I had to quit my masters program. I will go back and finish later. It is not a race. I have trains running finally, and I am learning to use JMRI for my decoders.

Again, it is not a race.

Sorry for your loss.

Jim Lowery

Kevin:

You have your priorities right - giving elderly parents assistance and support is the least we can do - if they didn't take care of us when we were little, we wouldn't be here.

As for the hobby, summer is probably not the best time to do a challenge for many. We like the idea of challenges to get everyone rallying around getting into the train room and doing the hobby.

I'd suggest a Fall challenge from Labor Day to New Years, and a Winter challenge from New Year's to April Fools. Then do a Summer challenge from Memorial day to Labor Day. 

I think you will find you get the most takers on the winter challenge, somewhat less on the fall challenge, and the least on the summer challenge. We should still do them all, but hobby participation peaks in the winter, and the MRH website traffic reflects that seasonal cycle.

Family comes first and there are always tough times mixed in with the good ones. We all feel for you. Hang in there.

Sorry for your mother.

Your challenge is not a fail, but only a postponement. You will get trains running when life lets you.

Thomas G

Your challenge is not a fail, but only a postponement. You will get trains running when life lets you.

Thomas G

You are right Thomas, I will get trains running!

To honor my parents I plan to name businesses after them on my layout, if I can ever get it built.  Just an idea you might want to consider.

Jim Dixon

Jim:

That is a great idea.  My mother was an avid flower gardener and had her 1/2 acre lake-front lot blooming every growing season, throughout the years.  Dad was a master carpenter who made fine furniture, exotic wood pens and detailed models from wood.  Businesses named in honour of both of them would be a great addition to the layout.  Thanks!

Thanks everybody for your condolences, prayers, kind words, and inspiration.

Regards,

Kevin

Businesses named in honour of both of them would be a great addition to the layout.  Thanks!

Your more than welcome.  My parents were both printers, so I plan to have a print shop - not quite sure how to name it yet, but it will come.   You may the only modeler with a Florist Shop.

Hang in there

You put your priorities in the right order and handled the issues that needed it.  That's success.  Train stuff can come later.