Seattle is a large city, people coming and going from all parts of the world, all stages in life, all of us have stories that begin, develop, continue then end. Bus stops are like frames from Zoetrope’s
To
drive for Metro means that you have a certain understanding of the humor and
tragedy of the people you see. There is
a level of empathy that we share through it all. It might be because we are up close and see
these people and talk to them, it might be something that Metro see’s in us and
that’s why we are hired.
I
have made numerous connections with other drivers, from the ones I was in
training class, to the ones I see around the base, and the ones I work with
loading Orca cards.
When
we load Orca cards it’s a 4-hour shift with another person, and you get to know
them pretty well, and in all human situations you connect with some stronger
than others.
Often
these connections are made because of our stories we share about driving, and
we find each other to have a similar level of humor and empathy for the people
we have encountered.
Some
stories affect us deeply.
My
friend Juda shared with me today.
“Was
pretty much a normal day, I was picking up people, and you know how they are,
you say “good morning” to everyone and only a few hear, or say it back, their
busy doing what they do.
A
middle aged Asian lady got on my bus, she was dressed professionally, clean,
her body language was bent over, and a bit timid, then I noticed she had a very
bad clefted lip, it went as far up into her sinus area, I said “good morning”
to her as I looked her in the eye, I read something in her eyes that seemed she
didn’t get recognized often, she said “good morning” back and went to a seat in
the front, and put her head down immediately.
I was taken by her body language, she seemed to hide, It made me think
of the situation she must be in, kids don’t have filters and ask their parents
why she looks like that, and lets be honest, not all adults are kind and their
reactions of disgust must hit her hard.
She must have had to deal with this her whole life. Why, I wondered,
here in the US would someone have to have this situation… and other countries
people are shunned….
She
came up to me when we came to her stop, she thanked me for saying “good
morning”
I
looked her in the eye and said, your welcome, my eyes acknowledged her, we
connected.
She
has a problem she lives with everyday with no relief, she never gets away from
it.
It helped
me see the difference from a problem, and a situation. that I have no real
problems, I have situations.
I
changed that day, I think of her when issues come up and it helps put it in
perspective, I share this with other drivers.
We
have reasons, a purpose in life, I’m not sure what these things are, but
sometimes seeing something and feeling something that connects us makes sense
of things.”
I
took in his story, asked if I could share this with you.
He
said, “please do, it changed me”.
Her
story is ongoing, and we witness others who’s problems are ongoing or develop.
On 3rd
and Madison a middleaged man first scanned his card with me sometime in July, I
remember because he was particularly friendly and talkative and liked a womans
dog that was shaking because of all the noise going on at the bus stop. after
that, he was gone a few weeks then appeared again, but missing his right arm.
His
short sleeve hid the length of what was left and he didn’t say hello back or
say a word as I scanned his card.
Now
during the second week of September, he has appeared again with an artificial
arm. He didn’t scan his card this time
nor did he interact with anyone, including the dog, who is still scared by all
the noise at a bus stop.
Which
brings me to Gus.
Gus
is a lab mix who was rescued from a kill shelter in Texas.
Gus
just met his forever home partner at the Sea Tac airport today and on his way to his
new home by bus. Gus is over 12, black
fur, grey muzzle, just a tad overweight and a bit arthritic. His front teeth are missing from chewing on a
chain link fence. He has scars on his
nose, legs and ears that are believed he received from being a bait dog.
Gus
seems to know his life has taken a turn for the better and loves that people
are saying hi to him. He loves his new life partner as she shares with everyone
his story and how she met him for the first time at the airport and he hugged
and cried when he met her. She is still
flushed, his tail hasn’t stopped wagging, Gus and the people around him know
that from today on, his life is going to be awesome.
Seattle is a large city, people coming and going from all parts of the world, all stages in life, all of us have stories that begin, develop, continue then end. Bus stops are like frames from Zoetrope’s
One
piece that is part of the story.