True Stories of a Bus Driver- Part Two

Let me tell you about Debbie(not her real name). Debbie was a street worker in an area of T.O. known as the Junction. A short route, 9 minutes long, but a very colorful one, especially after 11:00pm. I would see her standing on her corner at the same time each night. Just like she punched a clock and it was time to go to work. Being a short route I went past the corner several times in a shift, about every 10-15 minutes. She was easy to spot by the way she dressed, displaying her most marketable attributes in the most provocative way possible(even in the cold of winter) in order to attract customers. I could tell when she had a customer, because I would see her actually get into a car or she would disappear for a short period of time. I did this route allot, because being a junior driver, it wasn't a route the senior drivers wanted to do. It was the same thing year after year. It was like she was a permanent fixture on this particular stretch of road at night. She was not alone, there were several of her colleges, but they had their own corner and seemed to cooperate by not infringing on each others territory. She would move around on the Junction. If one corner was not producing, she would move to another. She had her favorite spots and I would usually see her standing at one of them. One cold winter night, she boarded my bus at the end of the line, which was very unusual. She must have been really cold and business was obviously not very good. For the next 5 minutes she told me her whole life story. Do I look like somebody she would trust with this personal information? I don't know, but maybe all the times I saw her, she was seeing me too and I looked like a familiar face and perhaps someone she could share her story with. Sometimes people just need to share their pain so they don't feel totally alone on this planet. I must say, I was a bit nervous and didn't know what to say, which probably was a good thing. So I just listened. She said " Hi, my name is Debbie and I work on the streets". As if I didn't know. I just said, " I know, I've seen you around, how are you?". "Well", she said, " I'm a bit cold and just need to get warmed up for a few blocks, mind if I ride with you?" "No problem", I said. She says, " by the time I was 23 years old, I had six kids. I didn't have a husband or anybody else to help out, but I needed to look after my kids. I was getting welfare, but it wasn't enough, so I had to moonlight, if you know what I mean, to get the extra cash to feed my kids and pay the rent. But somebody squealed on me and they cut me off of welfare cause I was earning other income. Went to court and everything, but lost the case. I ended up with no support, no money, nothing. So here I am. I'm still looking after my kids though. That's why I'm here. Well thanks for the ride, gotta go back to work, I'll get off here." And out she went back to the cold night to make the money she needed to look after her kids. I was a little shocked she was so open with me, but I gained a compassion and understanding I had not had before, or even thought of. I actually gained some respect and admiration for this street worker. Not that I approved of her lifestyle, but her motives were not selfish ones. She was doing this for her kids. I don't claim to have all the answers, but I know one of the things God looks at is motives of the heart. I saw her one Saturday afternoon, she was not working, just walking along the sidewalk talking to people. She had many friends obviously. She stopped to talk with this one girl pushing a baby carriage, stooped down and was making a big fuss over the baby. I knew at that point that what she had told me was true. She loved kids, and this hardened street worker had a heart of compassion when it came to children. I was amazed . Debbie helped me to see her and others like her as people. Not scum, as some would describe them. Real people, in need of love, real love and they still had the ability to give real love to others. Considering the hardships they encounter every day. That amazes me. I haven't seen Debbie for a few years now. I hope she's OK and has found a better way to make a living. Do you think God answered my prayers?
Let's hope so.
This is an added thought. I don't know why, but I started thinking about Rahab the "street worker" in the bible who aided the two spies. She was a descendant of Jesus. Why do you think God would put a "street worker" in the lineage of the savior?

To be continued....................................................

CAR FOR SALE!

Yes, I'm selling my car. Just getting ready for a move. It's a 2006 Hyundai Elantra, 4dr. loaded. Has 71,000 highway km's. It has the balance of a 100,000 km comprehensive factory warranty and comes with a complete set of new snow tires on rims. Krown rustproofed. Certified and e- tested. Great commutor. Great gas mileage. 46mpg highway. I'm asking $11,995. If you are interested or know somebody who is, send me an email and I will give you more details.
Thank you !!

TRUE STORIES OF A BUS DRIVER- Part 1

It was 10 years ago, April 13, 1998 I became an Urban Transit Operator. That's a fancy name for bus driver. During my first week out on my own, after successfully completing 22 days of intense training, I quickly learned that I had not been taught everything I needed to know. Sometimes, only experience can teach us the practical aspects of our chosen profession. I was working a night shift, which most rookies are forced to do during their early days on the job, which began around 9:00pm until 5:30am the next day. I had finished the first part of my route around 1:30am and then turned into a night bus that services the Bloor/Danforth route after the subway closes. I think I was run 56, which is the third bus across starting from Kipling Station. Obviously, being new, I was being very careful and probably a little slow, because I had not yet developed that rhythm that more experienced operators develop over the passage of time and plus the fact I was not all that familiar with the route. It takes a good year to learn all of the routes stops and characteristics. I knew from listening to other drivers talk at the division that the night bus routes could be a little, let's say colourful, especially on the weekend. I didn't really understand what all that meant. I was just happy I passed all my tests and had good full time employment with which to support my family. I had come from a 15 year background in insurance sales, never even been on a bus before, never worked different shifts. Just 9 to 5 with weekends off. Oh!, what a transition this was ! It was a Saturday night and it was busy. You wouldn't believe how many people are up at all hours of the night in the big city. I can tell you, they aren't going to church services. Some are working, most are partying which included ingestion of every kind of alcohol and drug you can think of. The nick name for the night bus was either " The Party Bus" or " The Puke Express". This is where the rookie driver really learned the ins and outs of the job. The night routes are long. Over one hour one way. We did two full round trips a night which took over four hours to complete. In was on my first run back from the top. In bus terms that means I had completed my first up trip (west) and was on my way back (east). Bus trips are either UP- north ,UP-west, DOWN- south, DOWN-east. I noticed this women standing by the side of the road all by herself on The Danforth right in the heart of the club district. I assumed she needed a ride and certainly should not have been all by herself at 3:00am in the morning. That could be dangerous for a young lady. Since I had just left the end of the route, I only had a few people on board. I stopped, being a gentleman and wanting to save this young lady from the dangers that could be lurking at this early time of the night, and asked her if she would like a ride on the bus. I soon realized I had made a big mistake. This was no lady. I knew by the time she hit the second step, she was very intoxicated. She also immediately tried to sit on my lap and kiss me. Shocked and not knowing exactly what to do, I was trying to push her away while keeping control of the bus. The guy sitting in the idiot seat ( that's the seat beside the driver and I didn't name it that) was killing himself laughing and was not about to offer any advice. He was enjoying the show just a little too much. She wanted to know where we were going to go for our
" date". I tried to explain to her that I was married and wasn't interested in " dating". She couldn't understand why I stopped to pick her up from her "spot" if I didn't want a "date". Finally my message got through and she realized this was not going to be a profitable bus ride for her and she got off the bus. Whew! Close call. My first encounter with a lady of the night. The first of many to follow.
Lesson # 1- Do not pick up people in between stops at 3:00am on a Sunday morning. They didn't tell me that in school! I suddenly realized just how naive I really was!

TO BE CONTINUED...........................................................................................................................

SIX FACTS

All I can do is give you six facts. I can't figure out the link part nor do I know six other bloggers I wish to tag.

1. When I was about two years old, I was helping my father hold the door open while he was cleaning out our septic pump. He was carrying buckets of sewage into the back yard of our house in Aldershot. He tripped, and a whole bucket of sewage went over my head. He called my mother to come and help. They stood and looked at me wondering what to do. My dad said," I think it would be easier to make a new one than to clean this one up!"

2. I was about two or three when we got our first dog for Christmas. My parents got her from the Burlington dog pound. She was a purebred boxer. I still remember how huge she seemed, as my head just came level to her back. We had her for twelve years. Her name was Cindy. Needless to say, boxers are my favorite dogs and I have owned two others in my life time. Plus a Standard Poodle.

3. My first car was a 1966 AMC Rambler, 3 on the tree. I bought it from my mom for $25 and fixed it up with parts from the car wreckers. I drove it for three years and sold it to my buddy for $150.

4. When I was nine we were cottaging up North at a place called Mazinaw Lake. While walking through the woods to the dock one day, I stepped in a wasps nest that was at the base of a tree. They swarmed all over me and I received about 30 stings. My father was walking behind me. He had no idea I new all those swear words. He was shocked. Go figure!

5. On that same holiday, while out fishing in the boat in the river area, I hooked into a huge fish. I just had a kids rod and reel, but managed to fight the thing to the boat. My rod was bent right over. I got it close to the boat and saw it was a beautiful Pickerel. My dad, in his excitement, rammed the net into the water and subsequently knocked the fish off my hook. Oh well, better luck next time!

6. My best time for going up North fishing from Hamilton to Parry Sound was done in 60 minutes flat. Impossible you say? Not if you're flying in your friends Cessna Airplane! All you can see North of Orillia is trees and water. I asked my friend, " what if the engine conks out?" He says, " Well, you climb as high as you can and look for a place to land." I said, " There is no place to land!" He says, " we either find an old road to land on or we can do some fast trolling in one of those lakes down there!" Very comforting. Next time I'm not going unless the plane has two engines.

Scriptures Come Alive

I just want to acknowledge publicly, the effect the sermons at my church are having on me. Many of the scriptures that are being preached on I have read many times before. These scriptures are being presented in such a manner, that I am able to see them from an angle that I have not considered or seen before. As a result, they seem to be coming alive and are applicable to my life today, even though they were written thousands of years ago. Cool! For example, the most recent sermon this past Sunday was on Acts Chapter 3 vs: 6-8. Peter and John were on their way to the temple and came across this crippled guy. Peter said, ( the Message) " I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" Peter gave what he had and did not dwell on what he did not have. Both Ruth and I have a deep desire to serve God. So many times I felt guilt when faced with an opportunity and did what I could but felt it was not enough, or didn't act at all because I felt I had nothing to give to that circumstance and did nothing resulting in a missed opportunity.


ALL I HAD TO DO WAS GIVE WHAT I HAD, EVEN IF THAT WAS JUST A PRAYER !

I FEEL LIBERATED! THE GUILT IS GONE AND SO ARE THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OF SELF DOUBT AND INADEQUACY.

I am not going to miss another opportunity to serve because of these things.


I CAN GIVE WHAT I HAVE AND IT WILL BE EXACTLY WHAT THAT PERSON NEEDS AT THAT TIME BECAUSE GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES BY BRINGING US TOGETHER AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT.

Thank you Pastor Patti for your perspective. May God continue to bless you and protect you and the vision he has given you in the scriptures.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Ruth and I just celebrated our 13th Wedding Anniversary. I almost said today, but today is already tomorrow because of the time I am writing this. The date is June 3rd. That was my grandmother Spratts birthday too. My moms mom. I had to work today, so we won't actually celebrate until next Monday. Maybe a trip to the Falls, a nice dinner at the Keg and some mini golf. We did manage to get out for breakfast this morning and I was able to send Ruth some Roses to enjoy while I was at work. One of the things I like to do is write poetry. I need more time to think in order to do that. I'm working on the time issue.
I want to say being married to Ruth has changed my life. If you knew me before during my single years before I met Jesus, you would not know me. It was not a pretty picture. I'm not the person I used to be. It has been a growth experience. We really are suited for each other and compliment one another. It's like iron sharpening iron. We are a " Team". I didn't think any women could possibly love me. Ruth did, despite all my flaws and rough edges. I don't know who else could have done that. She did, and miraculously still does. Thank you for loving me. I love you too!

Too Busy

Life is too busy this time of year and I have nothing to blog about that I can think of. Anything you want to know about? Suggestions?