"Hope begins when you stand in the dark, looking out at the light"
The widowed character on a train quotes his deceased wife whom he is mourning. She was a teacher. His character's motivation is that he learned a lot from her and is inspired to share the wisdom. The lines are caught on film in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, The Christmas Train.
Do you get my connection yet? Ugh, hmm, or yeah? Cheesy question?
Some think Hallmark movies are cheesy. Some are, but they all tell stories of love and hope.
I am a serious person, remember the names in my book? Labeled as an SNL character, the insult was fitting. Moms are like that, especially teacher moms!
Breaks are needed from serious jobs, life in general, serious writing, or Michelin star courses
I raised two children who have a great sense of life. They are loving, stable, and hard workers. They are not Hallmark movies fans. We did not live in a Hallmark mansion or drive fancy cars. My romance did not result in married happily ever after, (almost at 29 years). We survived a few storms just like the characters in the movie today. A train, lots of snow, ex lovers, new lovers, strangers, and an exentric, the Hallmark trope is real.
Divorce and family strife are not taboo. Luckily, no one gets murdered. The "ex" is not a common role cast, but factors into dialogue often these days. Do script keepers write from experience?
Hallmark movies, adapted from books or ideas of the original script writers, are my go to "sorbet". They should not be anxiety producing. The screen writers know that going into contract.
The writers take regular life, put in a few twists and turns, sometimes an angel plus miracles or two, in order to create Hallmark Hall of Fame award winners, Mysteries, or Channel memories. Some need to be served with a basket of crackers, but even those tell of love and hope. ( Repeat!)
Young lovers, reconnections, new friends, veterans, blended families of all sorts, sickness, health, faith are woven into the fabric of the Hallmark trademark.
Actors with five star credentials have graced the Hall. Some haul out Christmas, Halloween or suitcases with tickets. Plane, train, and automobile adventures are plentiful. There is not a lot of screaming. No one is left alone, but sometimes memories have to be jogged. Yes, Alley that word "sorry" is spoken and thank you. Four letter curse words actually seem to be banned.
The train in this movie choice has sleeper cars, fine dining and a bar. It would not be a cheap ride.
Some prefer dark fantasy, I like the light. As in my real life train adventures, people in this movie meet friends for the limited train ride and/or make lifetime connections. Train rides can create mini villages.
If Hallmark ever jumps the shark, the disappointment could end the brand. No one would ever go into a Hallmark store to buy a gun or to Hallmark movies, even the mysteries, for extreme madness.
I do not tune into the "who dun its" much. "Columbo" style detective work is the style. They do draw guns in the mysteries, but did Columbo ever need one? When we use brain power, guns do not have to be used. Hallmark uses knowledge as power even in the crime scenes. Do the writers know how to piece a story puzzle?
This movie, which I was drawn to today, does have a reformed thief who slips off the straight and narrow after the death of his spouse but the people on the train make a difference to the older, widowed passenger. A character described as odd is under wraps. A wise baby boomer comes out of retirement.
The author put a script within a script. I had never watched this before, so the ending, predictable in the love outcome, had a twist. Planning and plots, but not of murder; well watch till the end, the word is mentioned! It is not a Carrie surprise, thank you writers!
I can attest that connections on trains are real. Did you read "I will meet you at the station" on this blog? How about the heavy lifting one.
Life, real or created from an author's imagination, happens. An author has control of the ending, well, maybe with help from the production companions.
Roll the credits, no one is an island. We may have twists and turns, but we can have control of the beginnings and endings as long as we make it out of the womb. No one is riding alone on real life journeys either.
Sometimes we do have to journey the best way we know how. I love trains. Hallmark movies give positive examples of the how to travel. Many mention God.
An older cousin, on her 25th Jubilee as a Sister of Mercy, handed out a little satin cloth, no bigger than a bookmark. It reads:
"Thank you for being a colorful thread in the fabric of my existence."
I passed that very phrase on to a group of children I taught, in thanksgiving for how they played in my life.
Hallmark is a good weaver.
Whether they are pretend or real, characters can impact us. I would rather watch a caring set of produced characters then any #007 fast acting or crime seeking chaos bearers. If all the worlds a stage, then turn on the lights.
If movies evoke memories, call to action, or just allow a break from the maddening crowd, then treasure the ones who, when you are standing in the dark, lift your spirit.
Taking a Hallmark break today. The Christmas marathon is on ( even on Up and GAF).
Maybe I will be inspired for another blog post. People, actions and words can mean life changing or inspiring experiences. We all need breaks from heavy lifting.
We are coming up to Thanksgiving and festivals of light. In the Christian and Jewish traditions angels, miracles, Good Samaritans, Good Shepherds, and prodigals abound.
Hallmark (UP and GAF) gets it. Maybe the owners know that a little bit of light will brighten the way of a darkened soul. Strategies for success in a dark world?
Does orange sherbert sound good right now or some more crackers and a glass of wine? It is 5 o'clock somewhere.
No cheese or sherbert in your life? Well, I hope this post served up some. Didn't I say something about annoying in another post? Irritating? Inspiring?
Halloween is today, turn on those lights! Have some holiday fun. Get to know people in your neighborhood. They just may be serving some adult beverages or will improve your spirits while they offer treats to the costumed cavalcade. Haul Out the Halloween, Hallmark style!
Life is the here and now. Keep the light on. Do not lose hope.
How are you writing your story?
From the Teacher's Desk with Love,
Marian R. Carlino
October 31, 2026