Little Things Mean A Lot

 There is so much NEGATIVE in the world.  (Due to a variety of reasons.)  It's hard to get up and face the day with a smile, as we should.  When the world seems to have gone mad, it helps (somewhat) to find the little things that can lighten your heart.

Today I have an example of that, but before I tell you about the little thing that made me feel good, I have to go back to last week.  

As you may know, it's been brutally cold recently.  I know it's winter, but...We've had cold, wind, snow and ice week after week.  Not that we have piles of it, but just enough.  And just when you think we're turning a corner...

Because it has been so cold and because my sleeping pattern (if such a thing exists) when I need to be in the office goes off the rails (waking around 3:30), I've been catching an early bus.  You may be tired of hearing it, but I have the option of 2 buses to get to Newark (where I hop on the light rail).  One picks up  about a block and a half away (it's a long block) from my house.  The other is about a 3-block walk.  (It would be shorter if the property at the end of my block which used to have a public walk through, didn't fence/lock everything up.  Not very neighborly...especially after having access for over 50 years of my life.)  When it's cold and there is snow/ice, I usually opt for the closer bus stop.  However, that bus does not run as frequently as the other.  I have a choice of a 6;14 or a 6:56.  I used to take the latter, but recently, I've been going for the earlier (which actually arrives between 6:10 and 6:20).

Last week, due to the snow and ice, I went for the early close by bus.  Since the snow was piled up on the side of the road, it was difficult to access the bus stop.  I ended up at the crosswalk and then walked in the street a few feet to the stop.  I stayed in the street (as far to the curb as possible) so that I could get on the bus.  I saw it coming.  I waved.  The driver didn't slow down.  As he started to pass, I yelled out and he did stop, right in the intersection.  I hurried to get on and he apologized profusely.  It was an easy enough mistake to make (especially since after my stop, the bus immediately has to get from the far right lane to the far left to make a turn).  I accepted his apology, realized that he was a new driver (or at least new to me) and took a seat.  Perhaps it was annoying but it was no big deal.

This morning, I walked up to the same bus stop.  The snow had melted on the side of the road, but it was bitter cold.  I had  not taken this particular bus since last Tuesday and based on that experience, I really kept my eye out for the bus.  (Which is not as easy as it sounds when it is dark outside and there are lots of cars and trucks.)  When I waved, he stopped with no issues.

As I climbed on, the driver asked me what days I usually take the bus.  I realized that he was the same driver from last week.  Obviously not a lot of people get on at the stop at that hour.  (99% of the time I am the ONLY person who gets on there.)  I told him the days I USUALLY go. (It could change...you never know).  He remained stopped until I had answered and gone back to get a seat.  He obviously had been looking out for the lady who gets on the bus at this corner and CARES enough to make a mental note as to when I will be at the corner.  A little thing, but it meant A LOT to me.  He CARED about me.  He CARES about his passengers.  It may be a bitter cold day outside (although I am reminded that it is NOT as cold as it is in Bismark, ND, where it is apparently -45?  ), but my heart was warmed.  

I have no idea how the rest of the day may go, but that made me feel good.  That and the security guard at my building who is almost ALWAYS at the front desk when I come in and ALWAYS says good morning.  (His name is Luis and you can bet that I make sure to say "Good Morning Luis" every time I see him.)  Even though his "day" is wrapping up (I found out that his shift starts at midnight!), he is always upbeat and friendly.  No matter how my day has started or how it will go, I can count on a positive interaction with Luis.

No matter what kind of day you are having, I hope you will look around a find that one positive that IS out there.  I know it can be hard to find in the mountain of anger and chaos.  However, good people ARE out there.  Find one.  Be one.  Those little things DO mean a lot.