Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic (41) ________. We see ourselves on a long trip that (42) ________ the continent. We are traveling by train. Out of the windows, we drink in the (43) ________scene of cars on nearby highways, of children waving at a crossing, of cattle (44) ________on a distant hillside, of smoke (45) ________from a power plant, of row upon row of corn and wheat, of flatlands and valleys, of mountains and (46) ________hillsides, of city skylines and village halls.

But uppermost in our minds is the final (47) ________. On a certain day at a certain hour, we will pull in the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving Once we get there, so many wonderful dreams will come true and the pieces of our lives will (48) ________together like a completed jigsaw- puzzle. How restlessly we (49) ________the aisles, damning the minutes for (50) ________waiting, waiting, waiting for the station.

“When we reach the station, that will be it!” We cry. “When I'm 18.” “When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes Benz!” “When I (51) ________the last kid through college.” “When I have paid off the mortgage!” “When I get a (52) ________.” “When I reach the age of (53) ________, I shall live happily ever after!”

Sooner or later, we must realize there is no (54) ________, no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the (55) ________. The station is only a dream. It constantly (56) ________us. “Relish the moment” is a good motto, especially when coupled with Psalm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will (57) ________and be glad in it.” It isn't the (58) ________of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.

So stop pacing the (59) ________and counting the miles. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more (60) ________, laugh more, cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will come soon enough.