By: Brenda Wilkerson
Three days before the end of the school year, Li’l Momma J approached me with this freshly completed application created and printed out by my top Bus Rangers. Li’l Momma J reported, “My friend (a graduating 5th grader with only three days left) would like to be a Bus Ranger. Blue and I have read over her application and would like to add her to our team. We would like you to look this over and approve it so we can get her started today. Thanks.” With that, she quickly turned and returned to her seat without waiting for my response. Done and done Li’l Momma J!
Man, I love these kids!
May 27, 2021
Captain’s Log ~ First Good-Byes
Bittersweet day. I said goodbye with a final fist bump to some of my precious 5th graders for the very last time. Two 1/2 days wrap up this eventful 2020-21 school year. I have never had to say a goodbye before. Every day, twice a day, we were family. We braved the bitterly cold days and weathered the humid hot ones. We laughed when the water poured into my lap on very wet days — #leakybus. We celebrated lost teeth, birthdays, becoming new big sisters, and victorious wins from games the weekend before. Hmmm… Did I do enough? Encourage enough? Make a big enough difference? Did I fuss too much? Give enough chances? Whine about masks to exhaustion? Every chance I had, I preached self-control and made good positive choices. There were consequences to poor choices and seat changes to help curb the crazy along with small candy treats for the consistent well-behaved riders. I can only pray that it was enough. Lord, may my influence on these kids be remembered as positive and encouraging. May they always remember seeing Your light through “Mrs. Winkleson.”
May 28, 2021
Captain’s Log ~ Can’t Mask the Smiles
Within the very heart of the dreaded ‘Year of the Mask,’ it is so very heartwarming to know they DID ‘see’ my heart smile when they never actually saw my physical smile.
May 28, 2021
Captain’s Log ~ Teary Goosebumps
“That’s my dad!!! My DAD, my ACTUAL DAD!!!” Li’l Brother T shrieked as we neared his usual stop. Standing in the front yard with his phone out recording this surprise event, Grandpa was ready to capture the reunion. T’s daddy, arms printed full of tattoos, was grinning from ear to ear holding the leash of an excited dog. Li’l T was respectfully begging me to hurry as I had to go through all my safety steps to open the door — yellow flashers, red flashers, stop, pull the brake, and open the door. “Please, oh please, hurry and get me off this bus!” He bounced in shock and excitement wanting to ask so many questions. I only bothered him with one. “How long has it been?” I asked. “It’s been a year, a whole year!” As the doors finally swung open, he surged off the steps, barely touching any of them. I had the precious privilege of witnessing the sweetest father and son reunion. Oh. My. Heart. As I slowly closed the doors, released the brake, and pushed the gas, I was once again grateful for the ol’ cloth mask that soaked up the tears as I continued to deliver my bus babies for the very last run of the school year. “Hold it together sister,” I encouraged myself. Just a few stops left to go…
Lord, may I never take advantage of those loved ones I hold so dear. Let me feel the brevity of life to live and love with no regrets. ~Amen
May 29, 2021
Captain’s Log ~ Last Day
As my tiny blonde princess turned to go down the steep bus steps, she happily chirped in her natural born accent, “See you tomorrow,” just as she had repeated at the end of every single school day before. But this time, I knew that she would not. Her momma came to my door and gifted me a small token of her appreciation — a small plastic bag of colorful heart candies attached to a miniature pair of porcelain clogs that fit in the palm of my hand. With it was a precious card with the handwritten, beautifully unique names of the three children of this family that took me six weeks to learn and remember. This sweet momma explained with a heavy accent that they would be leaving the country to go back ‘home’ for a visit and would be leaving school a few days early. My tiny princess and her two big brothers filed down the steps, out of the bus, and around the front to their driveway. One of the two brothers always waved to me all the way across the front until he reached the safety of his driveway. The other brother stood beside his mailbox and waved until I pulled away with a few short goodbye beeps of Ol’ Yeller’s horn. But this time, in slow motion, I watched his wave slowly bloom into raised heart hands and a somber look of bittersweet gratitude that pierced straight into my soul. Oh. My. Heart. As I pulled away, I looked in my rear-view mirror to see the kids running and leaping into their parents’ arms. What a beautiful example of living in the moment you are in. Goodbyes happen. Do them well. Lord willing, I will see them again in the fall…but if not…if I never see them again, I know I loved them well!
The Last Captain’s Log ~ That’s a Wrap!
And just like that, this crazy school year is officially complete. Because it was my very first last day, I didn’t know what to expect. It was weird. We cleaned up, cleaned out, sprayed down, erased all fingerprints from every window, and neutralized any evidence that there was ever a child on the motorized Metal Mother Goose. Driving my bus I now barely recognize, our school drivers convoyed to the transportation department to return our yellow metal friends and clock out for the very last time this year as they were parked within a massive sea of other buses for their long, hot, humid hibernation.
I was reminded of the end of the Indiana Jones movie. If you know, you know! A prime season when red and yellow wasps alike, fight to build mega apartment complexes in every nook and cranny they can find on the ol’ idle bus. Until August dear friend. . .
Lord, I am forevermore grateful and humbled at this amazing journey You nudged me toward right before the pandemic hit. You KNEW these kids and parents needed someone to ease the crazy during one of the most stressful school years in history, and you called me into that position. Oh, but You knew I needed these kids more! Lord, now I can see the peaceful value in obedience to Your nudging, to say yes to You when it doesn’t make sense that someone with a master’s degree becomes “just a bus driver.” You showed me it was not about the money or position. Thank you, Lord.
By: Brenda Wilkerson
June 6, 2025
