A Stranger's Thoughtfulness

Sometimes, in this thing we call "life", quaint occurrences take place that leave you both moved and emotionally touched. They are nearly always mundane happenings. Seemingly trivial, even. But these occurrences somehow mean the world to whoever receives them, as though they are a thousand-dollar diamond engagement ring. Truly. The other day, Rose and I experienced one of those moments. We were partaking in our morning walk. Later than usual. Up and down the cul-de-sac, as always. Whenever we are running late, for reasons beyond my comprehension, Rose and I witness this male, middle-aged, silver-haired, school bus driver. He pulls into our cul-de-sac, as though making a wrong turn, spins around, then drives away. Every morning that I have noticed!! The vehicle which he drives is small-sized and yellow-colored. It could only carry, perhaps, twelve kids. Yet this middle-aged, silver-haired, school bus driver never has passengers with him. Not even one child. He drives alone. At first, we would exchange polite smiles as Rose watches with curiosity, colossal brown eyes intent, ears perked, forehead furrowed. It is like she telepathically says: Hey!! It's that yellow school bus again, Mama!! Who is the driver? Can I meet him? Shortly thereafter, our exchanged smiles evolved into a swift wave of the hand. Rose and I walk late nearly every Thursday, so this has become routine. Expected, like a certain "cursed" Major League Baseball team to never win any World Series Championships. The other morning, we were walking along, as Rose sniffed some green grass. I figured that she would most likely have a bowel movement. Alright.... I reached into my jeans pocket and realized immediately that I'd forgotten plastic bags!! Oops. Oh well.... We were close to home, anyway!! I would simply return with a plastic bag!! Then, like clockwork, into our cul-de-sac pulled the yellow school bus. It turned around.... And stopped!! Meanwhile, Rose continued on with her sniffing. She had zero cares in this world!! That's right!! Just like the Beagle within her DNA would!! But he had my attention!! I gave the bus driver this quizzical look. For whatever reason, I felt a twinge of guilt, as though he were some Principle, and I was about to be punished. Strange, I know. And this is coming from a Homeschooled girl who has never even met with any Principles!! Then, to my utter surprise, the yellow bus driver maneuvered something, and slid open his doors. "Do you allow your dog treats?" he asked. Now this bus driver had captured Rose's attention, as well. Her floppy brown ears heard the "t" word. Any time somebody says "treat", Rose's Attention Deficit Disorder vaporizes into thin air!! My "food-lovin'" girl.... Still a bit fazed by all of this, I answered nervously: "Yeah." I must have asked "Why?". For he then replied: "Because I have some." My mind raced. Oh my gosh, what am I doing? He is a stranger!! And I'm trusting him to give my dog a treat? What if it's tainted with poison? My thoughts spiraled out of control. But what do I say to him? "No. I don't allow my dog treats."? How bad would that look, an owner of a Beagle cross, who never gives her canine snacks? Really?! After this rapid thought, it was as though I were a robot, created by some geeky super-intelligent human being. Like my body did not belong to me anymore. All common sense that I once possessed fluttered away, as though it were a bright-winged butterfly. I placed one foot onto the yellow school bus' step. I did not walk any further. I held out my hand to receive his treat. Then, poof!! I transformed into a human again. Just like that. I paid close attention to his package as the bus driver pulled out twain small bits of treats. Beggin' Strips. There was a green stripe across its package. Beggin' Littles!! He tossed them in my direction. I missed, because I'm a lousy catcher!! But Rose got the treats!! She gratefully ate them both up, one of which fell near a street curb. Still nervous, my heart pounding, I uttered to the bus driver: "Oh, you're gonna be her best friend, now!!" And he answered with a smile: "I know." Several days later, I feel blessed by this stranger's thoughtfulness. Seriously!! By allowing this seemingly kind, generous man to toss Rose some Beggin' Littles, I most likely made his entire day!! He probably purchased those treats at a nearby Fred Meyer store, and had been waiting for us. This middle-aged, silver-haired school bus driver certainly made Rose's day!! And by the way? Those Beggin' Littles were not tainted with any kind of poison!! Rose is fine.