THE BUS
By
The Savvy Old Lady©
Joan L. Giorgianni

I can remember the day as if it was yesterday; it was a beautiful brisk autumn morning as the school bus pulled up in front of our driveway.  My five year old son, David apprehensively climbed the steps onto the school bus.  As he reached the top step, he turned and bravely gave me a little wave.  I could see the fear in his eyes as he ventured out of his protected environment to begin his search for new horizons.  The lump in my throat and tears in my eyes couldn’t express the emotions I was feeling as my little man left for his first day of school.  The week progressed nicely and David seemed to be adjusting to school and leaving mommy for the day, knowing in his heart that I would be there when he returned home. 

The following week, all the parents were invited to a “Meet the Teachers Night” at the school.  As I stood talking to his teacher, I noticed a look of concern on her face.  Finally, she said to me that a few days before she had asked all the children to draw a picture of their entire family.  Strangely, David had drawn a picture of him and his four siblings but without a mom or dad anywhere to be seen.  When she questioned David he told her that he didn’t want to draw either Dad or I and wouldn’t say anything more.  I left the school dumbfounded; what could this possibly mean?  The very next day I sat down with my son and told him I had seen his wonderful drawing but was rather surprised he hadn’t included dad or me.  He looked at me so sweetly and said “Mom, you know I can’t draw very good and you have short hair and dad doesn’t have very much hair, so I was afraid  I would make you look like a man and dad would be bald.  I didn’t want any of the kids laughing at you.”  My precious child at the age of five was protecting his mom and dad.

Sixteen years later, as he waited for another bus, only this time provided by the United States Military, that same precious child now a man stood before me but now with no fear in his eyes and said “I’m doing this to protect you and dad.”  His heart had never changed; he had grown taller and leaner but now was dressed in the uniform of The United States Marine Corps.   

Stay Savvy!

Hugs,
The Savvy Old Lady