My new bus route, in terms of characters, is headed by
the bus driver herself. A sturdy person
with a blond crew cut, she is a woman for whom the world holds many friends.
“Good morning,” she beams at me. “Oooh, I love that shirt.”
And I, as untethered as I feel in the morning, beam
back. “Thank you,” I croak. These are my first words of the day, and I smile
as I take a seat.
Thank you.
“Barb!” the bus driver shouts into her rear-view
mirror. “Where were we when I had to
back up that articulated bus?”
Barb, up there in one of the side-ways facing seats, chuckles
appreciatively. “That was at
Ridgedale. What a mess! ‘Member that?
Cuz I ‘member that! Lord, but you
did a lot of backing up that year! Huh!
Huh! Huh!”
The bus driver, whose name I have not caught, smiles up
into the mirror. “A lot of backing
up? What in the world are you talking –
ooh, you’re right. There was that time
they blocked off Nicollet a block into the run –“
“ – and the time that drunk woman laid down in the street
–“
“ – and that one time – well, we never did find out what
all those cop cars were about, did we?”
Barb shakes her head.
“No, ma’am, we did not.”
The ladies at the front of the bus, all of whom seem to
have ridden together for years, nod knowingly, and Barb, playing to her
audience, lights up. “That was the year
of the backing up! Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
Baby, we was all backin’ up!”
The other women join in:
We was all backin’ up! That’s right!
She can handle herself, yes she can!
Backed that baby right up!
The bus driver grins, her attention in front of her as
she maneuvers through the downtown transit station. “Oh, you hush now! Nobody wants to hear about how we got all
backed up!”
The front of the bus laughs, and I suddenly realize, my
bus ride, having gone from 20 minutes to seven, is already over.
I stand and walk to the front.
The bus driver, her face a study in warmth, looks up, beams
at me. “You have a good day now!”
“Thank you,” I say, for the second time that day. “Thank you.
I will.”
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54 comments:
You know, she's right. Sometimes there's a year or two of backing up before we can move forward-
The only think that backs up around here is the toilet!
I can reverse, now that I think of it, into any space,large or small.
But ask me to reverse in a straight line ... uh-uh!
the morning sounds. pouring of the coffee, wheel over the chair to the computer, machine comes to life, scroll to the link, click on the page, and say "good morning Pear, my you look pretty today!"
ray
Shelly, you know, I hadn't thought of that. VERY NICE.
Sym, the bus drivers have mad skillz. :-)
rj, I love that. Love that you start your day here. :-)
There is nothing nicer than starting your day with a "thank you", it can only get better and better from there. And look at you, already sharing the warmth. Thank you Pearl.
Pearl, bus drivers are in control of where you are going physically , but sometimes and somehow they know what needs to be said emotionally at just the right time. Backing up from dreary, the bland, and change --and changing direction-- isn't the worst idea at times, even in Minnesota. ":)
Shelly makes a good point! I like your new bus driver. She seems to have some spunk! My first words today were "What do you want?" My brother called me very early this morning. I've gotten more cordial as the day has progressed.
That is a WONDERFUL story. I love the long friendships suggested by the "backing up" conversation. Lovely.
Delores, I think I'm just starting to realize that. :-)
Raymond, the good ones are an absolute blessing. The mood on that early-morning bus is light and friendly and is a wonderful way to transition into the work day.
L-Kat, Shelly's a bright gal. :-) And honestly, saying "what do you want?" to your brother is, so many times, just the right thing to say. :-)
Lynn, I think there are relationships all around us that we never think of that, once realized, lead us to consider our role(s) in the lives of others.
Lovely.
And kudos on wearing a shirt today. That's etiquette that is.
A seven minute bus ride, it's hard to get any reading done in that little of time (which is why I always liked taking the bus, not that any buses run out here in the hitherlands). But it sounds like you are busy recording conversations! :)
Oh, I believe I like your new driver!
The we's on the bus go sound and sound.
What a fun driver! I love the feeling of being part of things like this. Like one day, some day, the bus driver will turn to you and say "Pearl! Remember the time there was a cow in the road and I had to get out and shoo it off before we could continue on, and instead of leaving, it tried to get in the bus with us!"
Ok well, you might not get a cow in the road, but ya get the picture....
She sounds like the bright spot in a person's day--I love people who are generous with complements.
My kids chipped in and bought me a back up camera for my car; I think that says it all.
Oh God bless her ! We all need a sunny smile in the morning to start the day off right.
That said ... there is no one in my house that gets one from me ... just in case you think I smile in the morning .. god forbid .. sheesh.
I like this community of transport you've found.
I suspect that bus driver enjoys her job (even the backing up). Wasn't there a JLo song about backing up?
Why not start each day with a self affirmation? "It's going to be ok" "Damn you look hot" "it's getting better" Even if you don't believe it initially eventually you absorb it. Try It!
My gramma always said that if you start off someone's day on a happy note they will carry that through the day and God willing, it will come back to you. Thank goodness for your bus driver and thank goodness the ride is short as a cheery demeanor can be like fingernails on a blackboard some days.
I quit my job today...... but this post made it all better, for today at least. The great thing about backing up is eventually you are moving forward again. Your mind is amazing Pearl.
How differently your day would have gone if you'd had a grumpy bus driver. She's to be commended for brightening the day of so many people, particularly yours.
For now, you've brightened ours!
What an awesome tale! Makes me smiley and happy all over. And I loves me a good bus driver - my mom was one for most of her life!
7 minutes, huh? Will you have time to take notes?
Hey Pearl! A nice bus ride? I've never managed one. I had a girlfriend once who liked to ride the bus into town with me, tho I suspect she'd have just been as happy on her own. It didn't last. Anyway, glad to hear the trip is brief and pleasant! Indigo x
Well, see that, Pearlie? Your bus ride is much improved! Nice ladies, talkin', greeting you...no more crackheads and 'Juicy' rear-ends for you, lady! Nothin' but class, now!!
I'm just realizing that I've gotten grumpier as my stress level increases. It's time to remember to be more chipper. You never know who is feeling low and needs raised up with a kind word or a cheery smile. Thank you for this and have a good day, Missy :)
It is wonderful how a kind word, a smile and a cheerful heart can make our day better. God bless.
I've been worrying a bit on your behalf. I love your new busload of companions, and suspect that they may be a gift. And how nice that the bus driver could start your day by complimenting you. Wonderful woman.
One of the ladies where I stop to get a morning kick-in-the-pants drink is like that. Every time I see her she makes me smile. Every single time. She must be related to your bus driver.
And Shelley? I'm TOTALLY printing out your comment because I need that reminder.
My goodness. You certainly used to be on the wrong bus!
Here's to cheery morning people! May they live long and prosper!
Makes the ride a pleasure.
I could never understand how most of the transit people I know are surly and sour.
It is much easier to be friendly and starts the day off right for everyone
Cranky Old Man
My son is in Alaska driving bus for cruisers, who come wobbling on arthritic legs after leaving the ship. I love your bus adventures.
my dad was my elementary school busdriver.
he was a good sport about the whole bus singing "Found a Peanut" and "Jenny Jenny Bo Benny, banana-fana Bo Fenny ..." etc.
we would do EVERYbody's first name, then last name, and sometimes the middle names too.
and my bus driver dad never cracked a smile or a frown when we giggled through "Marty Marty bo Barty, banana-fana fo Farty ..."
we had the same kids on the bus year after year. everybody knew everybody. i suggest that, before you end your short sojourn on that route, you lead a rousing sing-along.
then the bus women can reminisce for years about that new girl who they'd thought was so quiet.
consider it a contribution to the community.
May I borrow your bus driver? Thank you Pearl (Pear tee hee :)for sharing and making me smile...
Looks like your new route is going to be a good one and the characters will be colorful in a good way. Youtell your driver hello from St. Louis. MO
seems to me that if nothing else, this change in your life is definitely going to provide you with new material.
I've got to go back and read what has happened to your bus ride. I've been so busy these past weeks and no computer while they were laying flooring for DAYS! Now I find you are on another bus with other people. If this lady is going to be your driver she's a good one.
A little bit of gratitude goes a long way and does set you up nicely for the rest of the day. There should be more of it, in my opinion!
I always had you figured as someone who often rides a short bus.
It's good to see you managed to find us some more city weirdos to be thankful not to know..
Pearl now you make me wish we had a functioning bus system in Detroit...we have buses but not ones that run right (or left,straight or back or on time) and not that many of them.
She's a gem. Most bus drivers I've seen like to drive off before you can get on. Wonderful story.
My goodness, she's chirpy.
Not sure I could face that without at least 3 cups of coffee.
But what a great way to start the day.
The cameraderie on that bus sounds wonderful.
I get to work now by catching two buses and on each there is nothing but silence as people sit and stare anywhere but at each other, with more than a few reading either books, kindles, or iphones. We're a grumpy bunch in the mornings. The home buses? Just as grumpy as we're all tired and just want to get there.
My Dad always said that 'no one needs to know what kind of a day you've had'. Keep your smile in place and try to improve someone else's day. I've never regretted his advice. Ever.
I am not sure if someone has mentioned this yet, but there was a very famous rap song by the name of "Back That Thang Up," which introduced the world to Lil' Wayne. I always thought it was about a woman's back side, but I think it may be about this bus driver and her bus.
Thank you, my bus driver Pearl. This made me smile.
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