School Bus Lessons

A few weeks ago, as I was driving down country roads in beautiful golden autumn afternoon sunlight, it happened that I came up behind a school bus and followed it through several miles of its after-school route, pausing every few miles to drop off a child or two.

At one stop, a big black dog waited patiently, then did a jump for joy when he caught sight of his kid getting off the bus; the child immediately dropped to one knee to give well-earned scratches behind the ears. At another, a father was working outside and waved his son over to join him in what he was doing. At the last stop, family members were in a group outside, chatting, and as soon as the bus pulled up an adult ran, open-armed, toward the returning child and they met in a big, swinging hug.  

These moments were pure and simple delight to witness, a lovely and unexpected gift. The expressions of family and human connection put a big ol' stupid grin on my face that stayed there a long time, and returns anytime I happen to remember following that school bus home.

As we enter the holiday season, so full of endless to-do lists and tasks piled on top of ordinary life, perhaps this memory will help me to focus on the purpose of all our holiday get-togethers and traditions: connection with those we love. That's what matters. When I am able to keep that in mind, sprinkles on the floor aren't such a big deal, and stockings that are only half-full... who cares? A successful holiday looks like shared laughter, celebration, and together turning towards the light.

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