Tag: trains

“I Think I Can…” Part 2 🚂

I have never written a part 2 for any post before but this one needed to be continued for sure.

*** There is a correction to be made about the story. “The Little Engine That Could” was originally written in 1930, not in 1947 which would make it 42 years before I was born and not 25. My info was previously wrong.., Having said that, let me share why this train gets a part 2.

While looking thru these classic books my aunt gave as wedding gifts years ago, I found “The Little Steam Engine.” I just decided to open up some personal books of mine and reread tales when lo and behold– there it was! This version is identical to the original and I laughed thinking of its connection and Warrior once again. The stories aren’t listed in the contents but they are categorized by virtues. This train is under perseverance which it did have by asking for help and never giving up. We should all do the same.

I will always keep that page folded over and my children’s book is near its larger companion in my bookshelf. Heartfelt laughter and memories again on one track of “I Think I Can.”

This takes us to the photo you see of my kids aged 4 and 2 then in 2008. We went to Idlewild Park in Pennsylvania and Storybook Forest was included. I highly recommend this park to anyone with young children as it has much to do with rides, a water park, and even Mr. Rogers Neighborhood Trolley. I was not looking thru old photos out of nostalgia at all but wanting to find one of my daughter since May is her birthday month.

That vacation brought up so many laughs and when I saw that pic— OMG again! I remember taking photos of the Storybook signs and characters but not specific memories. The classic tale in a collection and now that photo all within a few days. Can you say ultimate guidance? ☺️😬

The other fun part of this story is my son’s shirt. Many may know that 23 is Lebron James’s number and he played with our Cleveland Cavaliers during that 2008 NBA season. James was Warrior’s birth name and the Cavs won the 2016 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. ( That story is in my book Spirit and Belief.) My boy just happened to be wearing that jersey in that photo and now– years later, a synchronicity. He did get a 2016 jersey and now has outgrow it. Mama will never give that away!

I tell ya warriors— the giddiness ensued from me for what seemed like hours after finding that photo and connecting it to the big book. This then of course led to my picture book and being yet another three count for the BIG title win! That Little Engine just keeps on going like the Energizer Bunny.., Hey– I had warrior batteries too (: Always keep connecting those dots or lining up your trains on the track since that’s how signs work. It can be anything remember. You may not have books, photos, jerseys, or any of my stuff but you will have your own.

Here’s another great moment. I also remembered Lebron coming last off the plane when the Cavs returned to Cleveland. He held the trophy and was wearing an Ultimate Warrior t-shirt! That image used to be my cover photo for this blog…. Many thought that was a “dig” at the warrior team but it was revealed he was a fan as a kid. I think it was both, LOL! Some didn’t even know who that guy was on his shirt. Needless to say, those shirts were selling big time. I did see a guy wearing one in my neighborhood that summer.

The number 6 is relevant here too since my son’s jersey is from 2008, Lebron left the Cavs for a few seasons and then returned in 2014– the year Warrior passed. That was 6 years later. We were on vacation when we heard that news in the Poconos– PA again… 6 years after we went to Idlewild. AND– get this!!! My husband and I honeymooned in 2002 at the Poconos. We wanted to go back someday with our future kids. So, first it was our honeymoon in 2002, Idlewild in 2008, and last the Poconos again in 2014. All 3 being 6 years apart in PA. I just realized those details later on when they weren’t originally part of this post!!

Here was my first idea that I put the “kabosh” on. It also involves the number 6 but in a different way. While watching the YouTube bio where the train book is featured, the beginning lists the date of when the Y2K14 games were released. That date was October 29, 2013. Pretty significant since Warrior always loved promoting them in his own way. Well, that date kept bugging me to connect and I finally did. Last Oct. 29, 2019 I had a serious situation that took me to the ER. It was more of a *spiritual* experience revealed to me later on not by any doctors so nothing really medically related at all. I thought about sharing the details as another blog post. Oh, and both of those Octobers were Tuesdays. Remember grace??

The day I was jotting down notes, my cat came running down the attic steps as the door slammed shut behind her. What? Nobody shut it. That never happens. My husband even asked why it closed so suddenly. Then, she jumped on my dresser near where I was standing and tried to knock the pen away from my hand! Um, could that have been a sign from Warrior? I believe so- always. My cat has done things before so cats have super intuition. Just to make sure, I asked Warrior to let me know with that story. Yes, it’s very personal unlike anything else I’ve ever told but I can be tactful. Well, a little later I got a loud buzzing in my ear which is a huge sign from him to me. I took that as a “No, don’t blog that!” I kinda knew already…

But, look at the dates. The same exact date only 6 years apart on Tuesdays again. Now, I truly know why that incident happened to me then as I was possibly thinking Halloween maybe? Spirits can be active at certain times just like during a full moon. I am FINE as it’s part of my spiritual journey but numbers and dates are important- always. Guess 6 is my “lucky” number for life. 💖

*** Be that little engine on the track that works for you. It never gave up, neither did Warrior, neither am I, and neither should you.

P.S. ONE more number 6 connection– I promise! From Oct.- April- 6 months. Y2K14 games released and then Warrior’s passing. I also had “The Box” story in my book 6 months after he passed. April-Oct. reversed… 💙

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“I Think I Can…” 🤔🚂

***Before I begin, this week marks 3.5 years since this blog began… Thank you all so very much for the support as I always support you as well. 🤗

That little blue engine storybook is quite the tale isn’t it? Do you warriors know this story? I actually was finding myself in a little bit of a lull with my next post and then found what I needed to find. Not on purpose once again but always meant to be. A book bringing us together as I am always amazed.

While searching for a photo to use a few weeks back with Warrior’s Machete, down the youtube rabbit hole I seemed to go. Never intentionally but I do believe these connections matter. You may not but in my life, they do. I came across this video titled: “The Final Days of the Ultimate Warrior.” Ugh.., I promised myself not to watch anymore of these bios as most are extremely negative. I stared at it for a few minutes after deciding to watch. Boy, am I glad I did.

*** First off, another milestone this week on blog day. Warrior has been in spirit form now for 6 years today. I don’t normally do stats but wanted to for this one. It’s been 2, 191.45 days. Probably minus 1 for me. WOW. That’s a pretty big number. He was born and passed on a Tuesday. I was also born on a Tuesday. 😉

That day was named after the Nordic god Tyr who was also their god of war. Kinda fitting.,, I like the old children’s poem about Days of the Week. Tuesday’s child is full of grace. We all need grace although humbling at times. The number 6 again and again. I know spirit life is treating you well Warrior as I always believe in grace… And stats… And dates… And no coincidences…

Now, back to the train story. So, to summarize for anyone not wanting to watch the video, here’s a little synopsis. During Warrior’s HOF WM30 weekend, he gave Vince McMahon a copy of the original “Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. Vince was extremely puzzled and didn’t understand. Warrior reminds him how he told about it being his favorite book as a child and thought of the Ultimate Warrior as the engine that could. Vince also thought of the WWE as being the engine that could… make a name for themselves in sports entertainment. He thought they both could and did. Vince was so touched by Warrior’s gift and remembered the man behind the paint with how he listened to succeed.

This part in the bio is at the 11:00 minute mark. 11 is another great spiritual number warriors, just sayin’…. The whole time thru my OMG tears, I knew I had this book. It’s in my attic with the kids memories. I truly thought my Mom had bought it after our son was born but no. I bought it as the memory came rushing back. I found that book and held it in my hands as the whole thing came together.

Us preschool teachers would receive gift cards from the kids and many to Barnes and Noble bookstore. A co-worker of mine used to tease me about never purchasing an adult book and just adding to our kids library. I just loved children’s books and couldn’t resist a classic like “The Little Engine That Could.” My version isn’t exactly the same with trains refusing to help but the basic story is. The tears weren’t sad but just overwhelming ones knowing that story can have such an impact.

It’s all in our attitude warriors. If we think we can, we will. If we don’t, we won’t. I’ve said that before so I hope you take it to heart like Warrior and Vince did. My kids both loved that story and would mouth “I think I can…” often when trying to accomplish something. Maybe as teens, they need that reminder again. You too could possibly own this book or even remember it being read to you as a child. Perhaps it isn’t a big deal with your memories and that’s fine. All these great connectors are part of my journey so trust me on this…

The other parts of the bio are all accurate with happy and sad moments. I love the backstage still shots us fans rarely see. This channel has a few other bios on the Ultimate Warrior character so feel free to check it out. Now, I will never really feel the same about this wonderful train story written 25 years before I was born ( on a Tuesday.)

Sure, I could’ve picked out any book that day in the store but chose that little blue engine. Memories for Vince, Warrior, me, my preschool kids, and then my own. Years apart and yet all together on one track. Vince had called the Ultimate Warrior “a locomotive” ( blogged and in my book Spirit and Belief) but the little engine that could had a huge task.

~~~ Like Warrior signs to Vince in the book: “Thanks for the opportunity to go from I think I can to I Know I can.”

~~~ I didn’t think I could do this at first but I thank Warrior for making ME know I can… Here’s to 6 years of always believing — here’s to GRACE and stories never forgotten. 🙏🏻💙

~~~ WrestlingBios

“The Final Days of the Ultimate Warrior.” (19:04)

https://youtu.be/o9ov7NanEOs

www.spiritandbelief.com— Book info, spiritual blog, and other great stuff to check out!*** Connect with me also on Twitter, youtube, and Pinterest. (:

~~~ Stay healthy and well warriors!!!