I mentioned in this post that C. is doing bus transfers this year on his way to and from school. And while this very exciting venture makes him feel all grown up, it makes me feel slightly…um…panicky. In fact, before giving in and agreeing that we should give the whole transfer thing a try, I had a whole list of reasons why this was a VERY BAD IDEA with VERY DANGEROUS POSSIBILITIES.
- What if all those middle schoolers that he rides the bus with in the morning are horrendous influences on him?
- He’s only 7 – how is he supposed to keep all those bus numbers straight?
- What if he gets disoriented and gets on the wrong transfer bus and ends up in Timbuktu and is too nervous to tell anyone and I never see him again?
- What if one of the transfer buses leaves without him, leaving him stranded at a strange school where he can’t find the office or a helpful grown-up?
Naturally, there were people in my life who told me that these thoughts were silly and that none of these tragedies would ever happen. Well those people were wrong.
Last Thursday, C. got left. His school-to-transfer-point bus was running late and his transfer-point-to-home bus simply left without him.
Of course, I didn’t find out about this until he arrived home – awfully late, but safe. As he told me the story — how the bus left him, how he wandered around looking for the bus to no avail, how a nearby adult asked him what bus he takes, how another child took him into the transfer-point school and showed him to the office, how they contacted the bus, how the driver came back to get him — one part of me felt overwhelming relief. But another part of me was preparing to call the school district transporation department and HAVE WORDS with whomever dared to answer the phone. I mean, come on, all the bus drivers have nifty little walkie-talkies. How hard would it have been for the first driver to call the second driver and say, “Hey, I’m running a little late, but we’ll be there.”
As my blood pressure rose and my fingers itched to dial the number…I heard a tiny voice inside say:
He’s safe. God was watching out for him. God protected him. And this is a perfect opportunity to talk to him about God’s love and protection.
And so, in a rare fit of self-control, I did. I left the phone in the cradle and told C. how thankful I was that he got home safely, how grateful I was for the adult and child who helped him. And how I am so glad to know that even when I can’t be around to guide and look out for him, God is. God is always there.
We prayed together, thanking God for His care. It was a precious, teachable moment, one that I hope sticks with him, reminding him that even when bad things happen, God is there, watching over him.
Confession: I’m still tempted to pick up the phone and HAVE WORDS with someone. And if this happens again, you can be assured that I will. But for now, I’m just thankful that when I send C. off to school every morning, and silently say a prayer for his safety, our God hears. And he loves C. even more than I do.
Good for you that you took that moment and turned it to God.
Katrina,
I can totally understand your feelings, I think it would have taken hubby taking the phone from my hand to stop me. But I am so glad you made this a teachable moment.
I got teary reading that. That must have taken amazing self control…not sure I could have done it. Good for you!
I think that “having words” would be okay if it happens again. I know that one time Amanda was really late, and the bus barn did call and tell us why.
I am proud of you for using the opportunity to have words with C.. He got it.
Good job Katrina.
Another life lesson learned…..
Great lesson learned, but man it would be hard not to pick up the phone. It’s a good reminder of how much God protects us in everything.
I can relate to how you felt after a situation we had at our daughter’s school that I blogged about today too. We did call the school and they apolized and it all worked out. Glad to hear that you took the opportunity to teach and live out God’s truth in front of your son.
Yes He does hear and answer prayer. How wise of you to use this moment with C.. I’m so thankful for you that it all turned out well.
I think I may have been tempted to pick up the phone later though
Thank God for keeping him safe!!
But I must say, I WOULD call whomever it is that you need to call, and at least request that the first bus call the second bus and tell them he is running a bit late. Those kids are their responsibility and someone dropped the ball there…and the powers that be need to know.
It is good that you turned this into a teachable moment. But I would have called. I wouldn’t have yelled or been nasty but I certainly would have expressed some concern about a child being left behind like that.
Whether or not you called, kudos to you for turning this into a teachable moment.
I pray for wisdom like yours in taking advantage of every teachable moment with my kids. It’s so amazing how God uses everyday life to remind us of his wonderful promises!
My oldest daughter is 7 and I pray for her as she walks to the bus stop, for the entire time it should take her to get down the street and on the bus.
I check out your blog frequently and really enjoy it. I had to comment. It seems to me C. is one smart boy. Most kids his age would of panicked, but he kept looking for help. Good job.
Thank you for sharing that lesson in self-control with us.
I do wonder though, now that you will have calmed down, whether it would now be right to call them to express your concern before it happens again to him or another child.
Hi everyone – I just wanted to thank everyone for your comments and input. Also, I wanted to assure you that the transportation department of the school district was informed of what happened (by the transfer-point school). We haven’t had any more problems. If it ever happens again, you can be sure that I’ll be calling them to ask how they plan to make sure it stops happening for good.
Scary stuff — but I’m glad C. is fine.
)
I had a scary incident like that happen last year. The second day of school, no less. Both of my kids got on the wrong bus and so, when the bus got to the stop where I was faithfully waiting, and they didn’t get off, I was panic-stricken! Where are my kids?!
I had to walk 10 minutes to the school, inform the secretary and principal that my kids weren’t on the bus today, and ask what happened to them (at this point I didn’t know they’d gotten on the wrong bus). I worried that they’d gotten picked up by a stranger –though I’ve had discussions with them both to not go with anyone, and the school has measures so that no child goes home with anyone without the school knowing about it– or maybe they walked home, or whatever… No idea.
It took a lot of phoning, and a lot of talking to different teachers before we figured out that they’d gotten on the wrong bus — then we had to figure out WHICH bus…. And, after about 45 minutes of a mini panic-attack, they found them, and the bus driver said he’d return to the school. He did, and I got my kids back, but they were both shaken, as was I.
Thankfully, the school took measures to prevent further incidents by buying rubber bus tags for all the young students — on which is written their bus number. And, as was the case before (thank goodness), they have bus-buddies — and my son & daughter are paired up … a good thing, or I might’ve had my 4-yr old on the wrong bus ALL ALONE!
Anyway. I’m so glad to have a God who cares about my details!
Oh my goodness, mizbooks, I would have been an absolute wreck over that!! I’m so glad things worked out okay, and that some good came of it. I think the bus tags and bus buddies are both excellent ideas.