I want to say I was in kindergarten when I had a very scary experience. I had gotten on the bus on my way home from school. I was still pretty small and my little feet didn’t quite touch the floor. As I sat on the bus, from a big day at school, I suddenly became tired. I ended up falling asleep. While I was asleep, my bus driver had dropped off all the other kids. After this, she made a very poor decision, that could have resulted in something so much worse. In I am assuming a hurry to get home from her job, after all the kids were dropped off, she headed right for home. In doing so, she didn’t follow proper procedure. She did not check all the bus seats to make sure there were no more kids on it. She got home, parked the bus in her driveway and went inside. Meanwhile, I was still on the bus sleeping. My little feet not being seen at first glance. My aunt babysat me at the time and frantically called my mom at work saying I never got off the bus. In a frantic, my mom immediately left work and called the school in search of me. Now as a mother, I can only imagine how horrifying this must have felt for her. While my mom searched for me, I had awoken on the bus all alone. I actually can still remember parts of this. I remember being so afraid. I woke up and when I didn’t see anyone I started crying. I knew that the only way for help was to get off the bus and find it myself. Back then, the bus doors were manual and super difficult to open. Initially, through tears, I tried to pry the bus doors open with my little hands. Though when that wasn’t working, I eventually figured out how to pull the lever just open enough, to squeeze myself through the doors.  I remember scratching my arms, as I squeezed through that tight fit. After getting out, I ran to the nearest house sobbing and banging on the door for help. A woman answered, and when she saw me, I could tell she too was very concerned. My bus driver evidently was her neighbor and the woman brought me to her. From here, they were able to get in contact with my mom, to let her know that I had just been found. I know my mom was so relieved. Though I don’t remember much after that, I am sure my mom was singing God’s praises that I was home and that I was okay. Later, my mom would tell me that she was angry at the bus driver for not doing her job properly as this could have been an even more very dangerous situation. I am sure you can imagine the what ifs. Though I am going to change this narrative. What if, God didn’t wake me up in time to get off that bus. What if, God didn’t give me wisdom and strength on how to get off of it. What if, God didn’t put it on my heart to seek help from someone. What if, God wasn’t looking out for me, to make sure that person was someone safe. He knew that lady would help me at the right time and the right place. These what ifs are the ones that remind us of Gods care, His protection, His provisions, His love for us. I am here today because God looked out for me. I am so very grateful for that, as I know my mom and my loved ones are too. Sometime after this they came up with more rules in place to ensure these types of things wouldn’t happen. I don’t know if my situation played a role in this, but I am very happy that there are stricter rules and regulations now that will hopefully protect other children. Though this is a distant memory, it is one big one that serves as a reminder that no matter where we are, how old we are, what hardship we are in, we have God who is always lovingly looking out for our good. I forgive the bus driver and I praise God that I got to safely return to my mother’s arms.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Stuck on a bus

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”