Our 'Bus Family'

A dear co-worker so appropriately stated, 'Bus folks are the best folks' and we've seen that to be true. We have met some of the most dear people while riding the bus that we may not have met otherwise. There is one woman who we now consider as a dear friend, like part of the family, that we met not long after we started riding regularly. She is a very attractive, well dressed woman who took an interest in our son. After talking with her often, we found out that she worked close to the school where I work and my son attends.

My son started playing the baritone last fall, and of course, had to transport it back and forth to school on the bus. The school band director found 'wheels' for easier carrying, and we proceeded to take it with us on the bus. We received quite a few stares and one woman asked, 'What the hell is that?!' But when this particular friend asked about our son's new instrument, she asked, 'When's the concert? I want to come.' And sure enough, the day of the concert, she took off work early and walked over to the school to hear him play a less than 30 minute concert with the band! He was delighted to see her, and thrilled even more that someone from our 'bus family' thought that much of him.

Then, there's the little girl (about 2-3 years old) who gets on the bus each morning with her grandmother. The grandmother works and is caring for her grandchild, a task many would find reason to complain about. But this grandmother, while toting her granddaughter, a stroller, and several bags, gets on the bus each morning with a big 'Hello! Good Morning!' to everyone. She gives us all this greeting even if she's had to run to catch up with our bus. There have been days when the child is obviously tired, and has probably been awakened at the crack of dawn to take one bus to the depot, and then another by the time we see her. But her hair is always neatly arranged with beautiful barrettes and bows matching her little outfit perfectly. By the time we make it to their destination, the grandmother's pleasant and polite example have prompted the little girl to tell everyone on the bus a sweet 'Goodbye!' even blowing kisses most days, until she steps off the bus smiling and saying, 'Bye driver!' It makes my morning each time!

But let me tell you about my 'Bus Mamma' who I see almost daily on her way to work. She rides the bus near our home and each time we get on the bus, she gives us a hardy 'Good Morning!' Then before she gets off at her job, she tells everyone 'Y'all have a blessed day!' I was simply drawn to someone who daily wishes well for others, so I started talking to her. I found out that she is in her late 60's and still working sometimes 6 days a week! She has more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than I can keep up with (she can, though!) and loves them all dearly. You would never be able to tell her age (I was shocked when she told me) because when not in work uniform, she is dressed to kill in matching colors, head to toe. When I asked her why she was still working, she made it clear it wasn't for the money (or that she particularly loves her job). She said, 'I could sit home and collect social security, but what for? That's not enough for me to live like I want to, and I like to be busy!' My kind of lady! This past summer she told me how she loved her garden and her yard, and looked forward to going home after work and turning up her music, cutting her grass, and working in her yard! How many people half her age can say the same?

But what endeared me to her the most is her practical wisdom and advice. After my son had an allergic reaction to several bug bites this past summer, he developed blisters and sores on his legs that were very painful and on the verge of infection. Without the advise of my mother (we lost her last year), and in a hurry to give him relief, I went out and purchased several expensive homeopathic remedies. When he hobbled on the bus the next morning to spend the day with me at work, my bus mamma took one look at him and said, 'Did you try peroxide? I use peroxide for everything!' I could have kissed her! Of course I didn't think of peroxide, it's way to simple and easy (and inexpensive)! We picked up a couple of .50c bottles and applied it several times a day and he's alive to tell the story today.

So, what makes 'bus folks the best folks' is the basic bond of getting to our destinations, wherever, whenever and how far they may be. Our paths are different and our destinations varied, but we are all moving forward in some direction. Riding the bus has helped us to appreciate that just because we don't use the same mode of transportation, we are all trying to get somewhere, even if the journey is long, or we have to 'transfer buses' on the way. Just keep moving. Just like my 'bus momma' said today in response to another rider's comment about not wanting to get up this morning: 'We need another deposit, so you got to get up and go!' Each day we can ask ourselves, what have I deposited today?