I've always been interested in the sadhus and monks and such who take an oath of poverty and must constantly walk around asking for food/assistance. This simultaneously interests and terrifies me. I often think I will do this to overcome my issues and see what it is like, but with children it is not something people consider responsible :) Believe it or not, I am also a bit of an introvert. This is something that astounds people when I say it, but I often avoid being social. It seems to overwhelm me sometimes. In this venture, however, we are constantly "out there". We are either sticking out like a sore thumb and people stop to chat about the bus or we are in a pickle and forced to reach out to people for assistance. And I have enjoyed every conversation and every interaction. The kindness of people is so reaffirming in a world where fear is the go to response for strangers.
This family opened their hearts and homes to us, giving us room to, not only stay, bathe an play, but to comfortably exist as ourselves. We wished we had more time with them!
Buck at the KOA in Colorado drove these crazy kids around as many times as they wanted, with a smile and a tip of his hat.
Ashland at the Rock Climbing gym took these two up each wall and had them ringing bells they nevevr knew they could. It was part climbing lesson, part therapy session and she handled them both with ease.
Dave in Taos helped escort the kids and I back to the bus when we didn't know where it had relocated. He was full of helpful info and had a kind smile I felt I'd known forever. Beverly in Santa Fe, who was visiting her son just released from prison, gave me her unused drying time on her laundromat dryer. We chatted about loving your children, no matter what their life is about, and what it is like being a mom. Ernest, who has 5 dogs at home and is trying to downsize, swam with us and introduced us to Brutus and Lucy. (While I fell in love with Brutus, I did decide the bus was too small for a new dog!) He shared his heart and his thoughts with us and it was a pleasure.
Marla and Chazzy stopped for a bus tour (we actually give about two a day just from people stopping wherever we are to ask about the bus). We connected on so many topics and wished we knew her the night we were in the hospital with Phoenix.
And then there are all the people who help us when we have questions/problems with the bus. Raul at the Santa Fe Public Schools bus garage, Ernest at Clark and Son's garage in Santa Fe, Dan and Paul at Auto Safe House in Holbrook, AZ, our dial-a-clue technicians Marty Flansberg and Zach VanArnum. Without their kindnesses - taking time out of their schedule to answer our questions and try and solve our problems - we wouldn't be able to continue this trip. Just today while we were hanging out killing time on the 4th until things open up Monday and we can get the bus looked at, three people (Cindy, Laurel and Rick) separately dropped by the bus to say "Hi" and offered us mechanics, showers and stories. I truly love the stories. This bus is many things to many people, not even all positive things, but to me it is connection - with my husband, my kids, myself, nature and all who encounter it. And, it is simply magic. Whether it runs or not ;)
See you on the trip side! S.
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