A few years back we were sitting in the kitchen with our grandson, then two years old. Our house is a few blocks from a rail line, and we do get the occasional train rolling through town, blasting their horn.

Our grandson LOVES trains and mimics them saying 'Choo choo!'.

It's just about the cutest thing I've ever heard. We only get a few that pass by every day, but sometimes when they pass by, we'll run down the street to see if we can catch a glimpse of them. It's always nice to get a wave back from the friendly train conductors.

On one particular morning we were sitting having breakfast and we hear my grandson say loud and clear:

Choo choo!

Not hearing anything, we dismissed it saying awww...that's adorable, but there is no train coming. Sorry little guy

...3 minutes later...

🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃

CHOO CHOO CHOO CHOO

Of course he heard the train and we didn't.
Sigh... the difference of 40+ years. But who's counting, right????

I realized instantly the substantial amount of hearing loss I've suffered over the years.
From DJ headphones to crappy ear-buds, Fugazi concerts that shook my entire body, to raves in the 80s and 90s(major damage for sure), and nightclubs 'til dawn, none of this has been good for my ears. That sickening feeling the moment you leave a venue and discover your ears are ringing from the permanent damage you've just done to them.

Take care of your ears!!!

I'm now a bit less careless, and at least make an effort to use my noise reducing ear-buds whenever I know I'll be around amplified sounds. Better safe than sorry.

I can't help but wonder what beautiful sounds I can no longer hear.

A wave from the friendly conductor