THE LONG RIDE HOME
In the mid-eighties, when I was trying to be a stay-at-home mom, the opportunity arose for me to drive the school bus on which my children rode to school. It was the small Hempfield bus (the district in which we lived at that time) that took children from that school district to private schools in other districts. It was a big, long, boring bus route that went to several schools near Lititz, to Manheim Christian where our children attended, a Montessori school, a Catholic school in Lancaster, the Jewish Community Center in addition to each child's home in various areas of the Hempfield School District. I did that for three years, to my own amazement now.
One winter Friday afternoon, just as I was about to leave for my bus route, someone called to warn me that the roads were TERRIBLE because of drifting snow. We had had a big snow storm earlier in the week, but being in my house in town that day, I had had no idea it was windy. Was I in for a dreadful surprise!
Most of the country roads I had to drive on to reach the schools on my route were already drifting shut. At times the snow was blowing so hard it was impossible to see to drive. I had no choice but to keep driving slowly and praying desperately. Keep in mind that this was before the era of cell phones. As I got further and further behind my schedule, I had no way of contacting any of the schools or parents. Gradually, gradually I made it from school to school and had all the kids picked up.
One of my first drop-offs was my nephew Steve Witmer (of whom I posted a picture earlier this week). His home was next to my brother's auto repair business where Dick worked at that time. Just before I got there I had to go through a place that was notorious for high snow drifts. I will never forget going through there. The snow was piled high on either side, the wind was viciously blowing the snow in every direction, and the road was almost impassible because the snow had blown so deep. I did not think I would get through. I think I told the children to pray. Somehow that little bus made it through that deep snow, and shortly thereafter we were at my brother's shop. By then I was about an hour behind my regular schedule. I got out of the bus, went into the shop, and told Dick that I cannot drive anymore. Could he please drive the rest of the route for me?
And of course he did. I sat behind him so I could tell him where to drop each child off, but as I sat down, I suddenly burst into tears. For such a long time I had done nothing but concentrate and pray as I drove on those horrendous roads, always feeling the weight of having all those children in my care, and knowing their parents must be worried sick. The relief of having Dick take over was so great, I just couldn't help but give way to those tears.
Under Dick's capable control, each child was delivered safely home. I loved my husband before that, but I loved him even more that day!
One winter Friday afternoon, just as I was about to leave for my bus route, someone called to warn me that the roads were TERRIBLE because of drifting snow. We had had a big snow storm earlier in the week, but being in my house in town that day, I had had no idea it was windy. Was I in for a dreadful surprise!
Most of the country roads I had to drive on to reach the schools on my route were already drifting shut. At times the snow was blowing so hard it was impossible to see to drive. I had no choice but to keep driving slowly and praying desperately. Keep in mind that this was before the era of cell phones. As I got further and further behind my schedule, I had no way of contacting any of the schools or parents. Gradually, gradually I made it from school to school and had all the kids picked up.
One of my first drop-offs was my nephew Steve Witmer (of whom I posted a picture earlier this week). His home was next to my brother's auto repair business where Dick worked at that time. Just before I got there I had to go through a place that was notorious for high snow drifts. I will never forget going through there. The snow was piled high on either side, the wind was viciously blowing the snow in every direction, and the road was almost impassible because the snow had blown so deep. I did not think I would get through. I think I told the children to pray. Somehow that little bus made it through that deep snow, and shortly thereafter we were at my brother's shop. By then I was about an hour behind my regular schedule. I got out of the bus, went into the shop, and told Dick that I cannot drive anymore. Could he please drive the rest of the route for me?
And of course he did. I sat behind him so I could tell him where to drop each child off, but as I sat down, I suddenly burst into tears. For such a long time I had done nothing but concentrate and pray as I drove on those horrendous roads, always feeling the weight of having all those children in my care, and knowing their parents must be worried sick. The relief of having Dick take over was so great, I just couldn't help but give way to those tears.
Under Dick's capable control, each child was delivered safely home. I loved my husband before that, but I loved him even more that day!
4 comments:
I didn't know you then but I remember you picking up students from Lititz Christian. Remember Jonathan Hines? How could you forget him! LOL!
I often think how funny it is that I didn't know you and Alan and Betty back then, or even Edna! If I had, I would have run in and said, "Hi!"
Oh, Lord, how could I forget Jonathon?? Or Timmy Leanard? It's funny, I remember the names Ben Arment and Mr. Arment, but they meant nothing to me then!
A great story! I can't even imagine how frightening it must have been to be responsible for children at such a stressful time. I love stories with a happy ending.
I take it there is another story behind the names, "Jonathan Hines" and Timmy Leanard???? Do tell!
And this was a touching and beautiful story, my friend. "My God shall supply all your needs . . . " (the verse says that and I believe it, but I love it when I hear the proof of it!)
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