It had been a shitty day. I wish I had a better word to describe it because shit can become fertilizer whereas it seemed like everything I’d dealt with that day was just destructive, like a black hole. Everything I’d dealt with just seemed to pull in everything good and bright out of the universe and pulverize it, but it just doesn’t have the same impact if you tell people you’re having a black holey day. Finally it was time for me to head home. Actually it was a little past time for me to head home.
When I got to the corner I could see the bus coming. I was on the wrong side of the intersection. The light was green. I have no qualms about crossing against the light when I have no chance of being hit, but the road was a river of cars speeding by. I waved to the driver, certain I wouldn’t be seen. Half a dozen times or so I’ve had bus drivers go right by when I was clearly waiting at a stop. A couple of times I’ve been able to see their eyes as they go by, focused solely on the road ahead, blissfully unaware of anyone waiting for a ride. Other times I’ve been able to see the driver turned halfway around in the seat, talking to someone standing behind them.
It started to rain.
I knew I was going to miss the bus that was coming, but I also knew that if I went back to my office to get my umbrella I would miss the next bus too. I didn’t want to be stuck standing in the rain for at least half an hour even with an umbrella.
The light was still green.
Then a miracle happened. The driver stopped at the stop across the street. The light turned yellow, then red. The WALK sign flashed and I hurried across the street. Panting I climbed into the bus.
“I saw ya, man, ya didn’t need to run!” the driver said. And just like that it was a good day, even if I did still have to walk a couple of blocks home in the rain.
Somedays, it just works out. Some days. not so much.
Very true. We just have to let the days it works out help us make it through the days it doesn’t.
I’m sorry you had such a shit day. I’m glad somethng finally went right, and I’m impressed you’re the kind of person who can let a small act of kindness make up for a shit day, but still.I hope it continue(s\d) to improve. You deserve it!
Thank you–things did improve once I got home. There were three dogs to greet me when I got there, and they make everything better.
also: now this song is stuck in my head!
Co-incidentally, this morning on the way to work they were doing a spot on the radio about random acts of kindness. It’s great how one small thing can completely turn around a bad day.
Here’s hoping that you don’t need a turn-around often 🙂
Thanks–life is mostly pretty bright for me. The nice thing is just remembering those random acts of kindness can be a bit of a turn-around.
This was one of my favorite videos when I was a 14 year old girl forbidden to watch MTV… Good times ^_^
And yeah – we’re so used to bus drivers disappointing us it can be kind of a miracle when they don’t!
It’s a great video, but the distorted faces creep me out. Why were you forbidden to watch MTV? I remember when it started, around the same time we first got cable TV. My friend next door wasn’t exactly forbidden to watch it, but his father would express anger at music videos being part of the cable lineup. And then for a while just about every channel was running music videos.