A Personal Driver
I took a friend to the airport today. She is returning home after bringing her son to his first year of college. Of course, 'tis the season for taking kids to school; however, a trip of 6000 miles to do so, is somewhat out of the ordinary.
I met my friend and her son just two days ago when I was pinged to the hotel where they were staying. They had in tow, three large suitcases, so I figured were bound for the airport. Wrong. I swiped the screen to start our trip and realized that instead of the airport, we were heading to the small college in the town where I live. A moment of dread washed over me. The past eight months, I have done everything possible to avoid the campus. It's still painful and when I can avoid pain - I go out of my way to do so (as I have the past many months).
Our 20 minute drive was filled with the usual conversation. I asked where they were from, about their trip, how long they would stay. As we neared the campus, I asked where they were supposed to go. Mom read me their instructions and I winced. We couldn't drive to that building... they had three large bags... they didn't know for sure what residence hall he'd be living in. I tried making a phone call to that office. (I have a pretty decent memory for phone numbers). No answer. I made an executive decision. (Yes, being self-employed as a RideShare driver - and the CEO of a personal franchise - I'm an 'Executive'). A moment later, I pulled into the driveway of the intercultural office, telling Mom and son this may be a better choice. I yoo-hoo'd into the director's office, explained the situation and within seconds, he was out greeting and helping the visitors. Before I left, I gave Mom my card and told her, "The RS app you used to get here isn't recognized in this community - I suggest you use the other one, but give me a call when you're ready to leave. I'll go online to get your ping." She thanked me and I left, not knowing if they would chose to use my services again or make other arrangements.
A couple hours later, the son called me and said they were ready to return to the hotel. I went back to campus, picked them up and we headed the 20 minutes back to the city. More discussion ensued, this time involving the school, curriculum, local community, and culture. They asked various questions, most of which I could easily answer. They asked to be let out at the Walmart near their hotel, so they could do some 'school shopping,' Mom asked me to pick them up the next morning at 8:00. We made arrangements for me to text when I arrived/was online so she would be sure to get me when she ordered the ride.
The next morning, I found they had done the typical 'move your kid to college' shopping and we managed to get it all loaded into the Aveo (with just enough room for Mom and son to ride as well). On this trip, I opened the conversation with, "So.... I looked up your country..." They smiled and I proceeded to ask questions and comment on my findings. This was an interesting discussion and I learned even more about their homeland. I confessed my source of information was only Wikipedia. The son tells me "Everyone does that." I also explained I frequently research things I have learned about during my drive time, but seldom if ever, get the opportunity to discuss (again) with the rider who prompted my investigation.
Another executive decision on my part changes the destination from the original drop off, to the son's residence hall. "Do you have your key?" I asked.
"Yes I do." said the son.
"Let's do this!" I pulled up next to the residence hall and the three of us proceeded to unload the items we had so carefully packed into my car just 30 minutes prior. When we were finished, Mom walked toward me carrying a bottle of wine. "Our country has very good wine..." she said.
"I know," I told her, "I read that too!" She smiled and told me how kind and helpful I'd been to them. Then she gave me the wine. I hugged her. I've received monetary tips for RS driving, but I've never been as touched as I was with this lovely gesture and her sincere appreciation.
In MFL, I dealt with parents of students on a daily basis. Some were not happy... others, easy to get along with. It had been my job to help, explain, sometimes fix something that had gone wrong and do it all with respect and an attitude of service. I had done it well and enjoyed that part of my job but my role as an ambassador of the college was in my past or was it?
Mom and I would have four more rides over the next day, where we talked at length about many subjects. We shared our mothers' hearts and talked about the changes we experience when our children leave their homes. She told me how happy her son is with the college and I assured her he would only grow to love it more. It's hard to leave your child at school (whether it is half way around the world or not) ... but how much easier it is when it's time to say goodbye. to know they are happy to be where they are.
I seldom get out of my car when dropping riders at the airport, though today was an exception. As I stood with Mom curbside, I told her, "I feel like I've had a friend in town, visiting for a few days."
"Me too" she responded with a smile.
"I'll never forget you," I said, "And if there's anything your son needs, let me know."
"Thank You.... He has your card." Another hug, a wave ... and she disappeared into the terminal.
I will admit, when I swiped my phone screen Thursday afternoon and saw the address I was taking my passengers to, I rolled my eyes and thought, 'God, You have such a sense of humor.' In the 40 hours that followed though, I was reminded: God's greatest blessings often have unusual beginnings. Optimistically, I am confident the Mom and my paths will cross again someday, but if by chance they do not, I will always be grateful that one brief friendship would help heal a wounded heart.
I met my friend and her son just two days ago when I was pinged to the hotel where they were staying. They had in tow, three large suitcases, so I figured were bound for the airport. Wrong. I swiped the screen to start our trip and realized that instead of the airport, we were heading to the small college in the town where I live. A moment of dread washed over me. The past eight months, I have done everything possible to avoid the campus. It's still painful and when I can avoid pain - I go out of my way to do so (as I have the past many months).
Our 20 minute drive was filled with the usual conversation. I asked where they were from, about their trip, how long they would stay. As we neared the campus, I asked where they were supposed to go. Mom read me their instructions and I winced. We couldn't drive to that building... they had three large bags... they didn't know for sure what residence hall he'd be living in. I tried making a phone call to that office. (I have a pretty decent memory for phone numbers). No answer. I made an executive decision. (Yes, being self-employed as a RideShare driver - and the CEO of a personal franchise - I'm an 'Executive'). A moment later, I pulled into the driveway of the intercultural office, telling Mom and son this may be a better choice. I yoo-hoo'd into the director's office, explained the situation and within seconds, he was out greeting and helping the visitors. Before I left, I gave Mom my card and told her, "The RS app you used to get here isn't recognized in this community - I suggest you use the other one, but give me a call when you're ready to leave. I'll go online to get your ping." She thanked me and I left, not knowing if they would chose to use my services again or make other arrangements.
A couple hours later, the son called me and said they were ready to return to the hotel. I went back to campus, picked them up and we headed the 20 minutes back to the city. More discussion ensued, this time involving the school, curriculum, local community, and culture. They asked various questions, most of which I could easily answer. They asked to be let out at the Walmart near their hotel, so they could do some 'school shopping,' Mom asked me to pick them up the next morning at 8:00. We made arrangements for me to text when I arrived/was online so she would be sure to get me when she ordered the ride.
The next morning, I found they had done the typical 'move your kid to college' shopping and we managed to get it all loaded into the Aveo (with just enough room for Mom and son to ride as well). On this trip, I opened the conversation with, "So.... I looked up your country..." They smiled and I proceeded to ask questions and comment on my findings. This was an interesting discussion and I learned even more about their homeland. I confessed my source of information was only Wikipedia. The son tells me "Everyone does that." I also explained I frequently research things I have learned about during my drive time, but seldom if ever, get the opportunity to discuss (again) with the rider who prompted my investigation.
Another executive decision on my part changes the destination from the original drop off, to the son's residence hall. "Do you have your key?" I asked.
"Yes I do." said the son.
"Let's do this!" I pulled up next to the residence hall and the three of us proceeded to unload the items we had so carefully packed into my car just 30 minutes prior. When we were finished, Mom walked toward me carrying a bottle of wine. "Our country has very good wine..." she said.
"I know," I told her, "I read that too!" She smiled and told me how kind and helpful I'd been to them. Then she gave me the wine. I hugged her. I've received monetary tips for RS driving, but I've never been as touched as I was with this lovely gesture and her sincere appreciation.
In MFL, I dealt with parents of students on a daily basis. Some were not happy... others, easy to get along with. It had been my job to help, explain, sometimes fix something that had gone wrong and do it all with respect and an attitude of service. I had done it well and enjoyed that part of my job but my role as an ambassador of the college was in my past or was it?
Mom and I would have four more rides over the next day, where we talked at length about many subjects. We shared our mothers' hearts and talked about the changes we experience when our children leave their homes. She told me how happy her son is with the college and I assured her he would only grow to love it more. It's hard to leave your child at school (whether it is half way around the world or not) ... but how much easier it is when it's time to say goodbye. to know they are happy to be where they are.
I seldom get out of my car when dropping riders at the airport, though today was an exception. As I stood with Mom curbside, I told her, "I feel like I've had a friend in town, visiting for a few days."
"Me too" she responded with a smile.
"I'll never forget you," I said, "And if there's anything your son needs, let me know."
"Thank You.... He has your card." Another hug, a wave ... and she disappeared into the terminal.
I will admit, when I swiped my phone screen Thursday afternoon and saw the address I was taking my passengers to, I rolled my eyes and thought, 'God, You have such a sense of humor.' In the 40 hours that followed though, I was reminded: God's greatest blessings often have unusual beginnings. Optimistically, I am confident the Mom and my paths will cross again someday, but if by chance they do not, I will always be grateful that one brief friendship would help heal a wounded heart.
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