All aboard for Christmas wishes come true

MT. PLEASANT — As part of Addington Place’s Dare to Dream program, resident Marilyn Brooks took a trip on the Polar Express.

While the Addington management team discussed who would receive their December Dare to Dream, a caregiver started the train of thought down the tracks toward a magical Dare to Dream experience.

According to Community Relations Coordinator Cody Flietner, the caregiver informed the administrative team that Marilyn told her how much she loved trains.

“We instantly knew who we were picking for our December Dare to Dream,” Flietner said.

With careful planning, the team put together every detail of a day trip to Boone for a ride of the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad’s Santa Express.

When the day came, Marilyn as she sat with her sister and Addington’s Housekeeping Manager Sandy Hamilton as they sat chatting around a table.

Both wore festive Christmas sweaters and bright smiles

A theme of Christmas magic readily filled the room even before words escaped Flietner or Marilyn’s mouths.

“Guess what we’re doing today,” Flietner, decked out in a Christmas patterned suit, began.

“I don’t know …” Marilyn replied with a look of suspicion

“Somebody told me you love trains. Is that true?” he asked her.

“Yeah …” she said as a smile crossed her face.

“We got you a golden ticket to go on the Polar Express,” Flietner said as he handed Marilyn her ticket.

An open mouth smile stretched across her face “Really?!” she asked. He confirmed and gave her, her golden bell for the ride.

Marilyn, Sandy, and Flietner loaded up and set off to Boone for a day trip on the Santa Express in a VIP train car.

The trio sat at a small table and enjoyed chocolate milk and sugar cookies as they heard a story about Santa and the Polar Express train.

Shortly after leaving the train station, the train crossed a 156 feet tall steel bridge over the Bass Point Creek and arrived at a light up Santa Village.

While taking in beautifully lit displays village display, Santa and Mrs. Claus climbed aboard and gave every passenger a bell.

Once the train left Santa’s Village, passengers filled the train with the sweet sounds of Christmas carols.

As the trio prepared to head back to Addington Place, Flietner asked Marilyn what she thought of the whole experience, she could not find her voice. The smile from the beginning of the day, however, never left.

“A lot of smiles and laughs were shared throughout the whole experience,” Flienter said. “When I asked Marilyn a few days later what she thought of the whole experience, she asked ‘When are we going again?!’”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com