I remember throughout my life always riding public transportation. At first I hated it. My mom would never drive me anywhere. I would have to take the bus to the mall, friends, church etc. Yet, something special always happened on the bus, and that was the unity of community. As I grew and bounced back and forth between parents I found I would feel trapped if I could not just hop on a bus and go. I loved the freedom and independence would bring. I could leave my world behind me, and explore the world yet undiscovered!
This love for public transportation grew even more as I moved to Salt Lake City for my last two years of high school. I loved taking trax, buses, and walking anywhere my heart desired! During this time I was able to meet random people on the street, and these people became my friends; they became a part of my life just by being in the same spot everyday.
Walking past a parking lot I remember saying hi every day to a 30 year old Hispanic attendant. I would never know if he was in there until I walked by and the blinds from his hub would suddenly whisk open, and his beautiful smile would beam as he waved frantically to me.
Down the road I would walk past the ever present homeless person as we exchanged smiles and nods. Next I would walk past the LDS temple as I exchanged glances with another parking attendant. The bus drivers also became my friends.
Our lives became in sync as the bus driver would tell me about her kids, and I would tell her about school. If one day I forgot my bus pass it was not a problem, because she knew I would have it next time. This bond helped us protect each other as one day a man that lost his temper attacked another man. We both stood up, and screamed our hearts out at him! "Hey!" we yelled " Get off the BUS!", and he did!
All of these people became a part of my life, and I was blessed to have them sprinkled like sugar into it!
As I started driving my car to work everyday I lost that. I missed it. It became the one thing I desired the most. Seeing the world pass you by as you , only you, drive past it offers you nothing. I did not get the fulfilling glances of a stranger. Instead I got the self loathing of my brain.
Luckily this only lasted 6 months, and I am now on the bus again! The effects of me being on the bus have re-surfaced as four people touched my heart, and made me ponder the sweetness, sorrows, and mysteries of life today.
On the way to work there was a mother, and her baby, playing with each other. The baby obviously adored her , and was sweetly caressing her face. He would smile as the mom whisked him up into the air. It was a sweet bond. I find it beautiful the connection between a mom and her baby. It is one of the most beautiful things in this world. That was not the highlight, though.
Across the way was an older man looking fondly at the pair as they snuggled, caressed, and played with each other. His face seemed to endearingly enjoy the two, yet also had look of longing as well. It made me wonder where his wife was? How many children did he have? Was this something that was in his life, but was soon taken hostage by time? Did he have memories of his own precious wife cuddling their baby? It just made me wonder how much of a blessing family can be, and also that those precious moments are short lived, and in the future must be re-lived through other people.
When I switched to take trax another individual caught my eye. Living in Downtown Salt Lake for five years I have become adequet in recognizing someone that lives on the street. The are usually men, have a hiking bag strapped to their back, and wear layers and layers of clothing. This was one of those men. This man caught my eye today because there were tears coming from his eyes. At first I thought maybe it was because he was older ( 50-60), and it was just fluid discharging. Yet, reading the emotions from his face it made me think maybe not...
At first I was a little concerned. Thoughts started going through my mind of what I could do? Do I have money I can give him? no....Should I say a kind word? what if he thinks I am a freak?...Maybe I will just say a prayer? ok...I will say a prayer. When I looked again at his face, though, he did not seem to be crying out of sorrow, but a smile was on his face. Did something touch him earlier? Was he thinking of his family that he is not in contact with anymore? Did at first that bring him sorrow, but then happiness as he remembered them fondly? My questions were not answered, but just by the mere riding on the bus he changed my day for the better.
The others also changed my life for the better. Instead of focusing on my own life I was treated at seeing a glimpse of their lives! What a pleasure it was!
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