"Grief"

I was reminded of the familiar quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”  All who know Mr. Mucus, know he has a love of life.  He approaches all things with zest and excitement.  As if that very minute was the greatest time of his life.  But it was a much subdued and quite Mr. Mucus that approached.  With bowed head and faint voice he said, “Mr. Brandon, did you hear the news?”  Having shared in the lives of my riders over the years, I prepared to listen.  Because of the tone of voice, I prepared for the worst, already feeling a heaviness in my own heart.  “Did you hear, they are closing the Ryan’s restaurant in town? My father told me about it last night.”  I gathered myself and in an equally hushed tone I said “I know, I heard that too.  What are you going to do?” Then as he spoke you could hear a small quiver in his voice, “I don’t know,” there was a pause to gain control of his emotions, “I have to admit when my father told me, I cried a little bit.  I had a hard time concentrating on my homework after that.  So last night we went to Golden Corral and ate.  As we were eating my father looked across the table at me and said, “It’s just not the same.”  Then with feet and heart that seemed too heavy to lift, he moved silently back to his seat.  True love, great are the rewards, deep are the sorrows.  

“Family Tradition”

When far from home one’s identity and family connections can be blurred or lost all together.  Rural America on the other hand is where roots run deep.  Family traditions and pride go back years.  People talk of Great, Great Grandfather and his accomplishments.  Some family names are held in high esteem in the community.  Others are referred to as pillars of the community.  To impugn the heritage of a family is serious business.  For this reason my attention was drawn to a conversation that I heard coming from behind me.  “My family is known for two things” he said with a hint of pride in his voice.  I looked in the mirror and there he sat with his chest puffed up, sporting an Alabama Crimson Tide ball cap.  “Yes,” he said, “we are known for two things in my family, farting and belching.”  Then he sat back with a big smile on his face.  Moments later, with my eyes burning, I opened my driver’s side window to let in fresh, frigid air, I saw him raise his finger and he said, “I’m number one”.  There was all indication that he would uphold family pride and tradition for his generation.

"Politics"

In this year of campaigning and political decision making I thought it should be my responsibility to inform you of one position that has already been decided.  I was approached by the little, cute, kindergarten, girl delegation and was informed; 1. They love me very much. 2. I was the best bus driver ever.  I was feeling pretty good about the position until a return visit from the delegation.  In true political fashion it seemed they now had a request they wanted granted.  There was a plea for eating of candy on the bus as long as they put the rappers in their pockets.  Not wanting impeachment proceedings to occur on the same day that I had officially taken office the request was granted.  I’m not being self-congratulatory but I’m just reporting the facts and the rest of you will just have to fight it out for second place.

“Drop In The Ice Cream Market”

He boarded the bus with the flourish of a big spender.  Shortly after being seated he made everyone aware of his wealth.  In the half light of the early morning bus ride he reached in his pocket and pulled out his money.  Holding it in the air and doing a little dance he asked several children, “Do you have ice cream money?”  As they sat blank faced and staring he started singing, “I have ice cream money.  I have ice cream money”.  No one said a word as he danced and gloated of his financial status.  Then in the quiet hush between bumps in the road there was a sound.  A slight ping, you know the sound a coin makes when falling to the floor, from the sound I guessed dime.  There was a low muffled, “Oh man” and song and dance ended.  He sat quietly, on what I’m sure seemed a long ride to school.  Fate can cut your legs out from under you in a hurry.