30 Day Blog Challenge, Day 3: Meaning Behind My Blog Name

This is day 3 of my 30 day blog challenge. So far, I've introduced myself and shared twenty interesting facts about myself. Today's topic is the meaning behind my blog's name. The actual prompt was to talk about the meaning behind my business name, but my business doesn't really have a name, other than Joe Stephens and that doesn't really have a meaning. So I decided to change the prompt this time.

The name came pretty quickly when I decided I was going to write a blog. I love trains, so I thought I'd like it to have something to do with that. The first phrase that came to mind was train of thought. It worked out really well since the blog is supposed to be about writing, and writing, if you're doing it right, takes some thought. So I went with it.

There's actually a better story behind the background for my blog. When I first started it, I just used some generic train track background, but I really didn't like it. I tried a few different ones and just didn't like any of them. And then I thought of the picture that hangs on the wall behind my desk. It means a lot to me because of who drew it for me. I've received drawings from a number of students over the years, many of trains, and each one means something to me. The fact that this person took the time to draw something they knew I would like just makes me feel special.

But this particular picture is from someone who is more than a former student. If you read the first entry of this 30 day challenge, you may recall I mentioned a young lady named Poonam. She's family to me and I love her a lot. She's a doctor now, but once upon a time, she was my student and the star of my speech team. On the last day of school, after the last bell, many students were gathered in the room of one of my friends saying goodbye to one another. Poonam came in to say goodbye to my friend, whom she also had for class, and to me. She presented me with a card and a package. Had I not been blubbering all day and pretty dehydrated, I would have burst into tears again when I opened it. The picture itself was special enough, but then I noticed the number on the side of the coal car. 917. My birthday.

That picture has been with me ever since. Through three moves, it has been one of the first things I unpack. And it will be something I treasure until the day I die. So thank you Poonam--love you!