Memories
April 6, 2023 at 8:28 p.m.
By -
A few years ago, my wife Catherine and I went out early one morning to shop for groceries. It was early fall and school was back in session.
We were behind a “stopped” bus. I mentioned to Catherine about how long the buss took before it began to move again.
At this, she told me, “State law in Pennsylvania requires school buses to remain still until all passengers are seated!”
Interesting ... from my own personal experiences, Indiana must never had such a law on its books because I well remember the year I hit seventh grade in?Warsaw Schools.
My so-called family lived close to Grace College and Jefferson Elementary School. I would ride a bus up to Jefferson, then switch to another bus for the ride to what used to Warsaw Junior High.
However, after stepping onto that second bus, no one would let me sit down in a seat, despite 2 or 3 seats having only one occupant ... always male!
This went on throughout the entire school year; and the female bus driver never did anything about the situation, just sat there with a stupid smile on her face!
One time, I got fed up with having to stand up on that bus, having to hold onto my books, as well as a bagged lunch; so I sat down on the floor ... only to have said female driver say, “State law says you can’t block the floor!” So I was back to standing up on the school bus again.
I never said anything to any teacher or office personnel at the school, or my parents, because just about every adult’s attitude back then was “You don’t count, so tough cookies!”
“Bullying” in public schools goes way back, but the lust for revenge, or “justice,” has always existed. Believe it! Yet, that is just as wrong!
Years later, there were times where I would run into one of the males who wouldn’t allow me to sit down on that bus.
He always had a pained guilty look on his face. Dan, I forgive you, and the other two guys, as well. Besides, I always through your sister was cute!
Please forgive yourself, but teach your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to be kind and merciful to others, even on the bus!
After all ... we are all simply human, and all of us are made in the image of God!
Cheers to the class of 1976 -?Warsaw High!
William Gerald Smith
Warsaw (class of 1977)
A few years ago, my wife Catherine and I went out early one morning to shop for groceries. It was early fall and school was back in session.
We were behind a “stopped” bus. I mentioned to Catherine about how long the buss took before it began to move again.
At this, she told me, “State law in Pennsylvania requires school buses to remain still until all passengers are seated!”
Interesting ... from my own personal experiences, Indiana must never had such a law on its books because I well remember the year I hit seventh grade in?Warsaw Schools.
My so-called family lived close to Grace College and Jefferson Elementary School. I would ride a bus up to Jefferson, then switch to another bus for the ride to what used to Warsaw Junior High.
However, after stepping onto that second bus, no one would let me sit down in a seat, despite 2 or 3 seats having only one occupant ... always male!
This went on throughout the entire school year; and the female bus driver never did anything about the situation, just sat there with a stupid smile on her face!
One time, I got fed up with having to stand up on that bus, having to hold onto my books, as well as a bagged lunch; so I sat down on the floor ... only to have said female driver say, “State law says you can’t block the floor!” So I was back to standing up on the school bus again.
I never said anything to any teacher or office personnel at the school, or my parents, because just about every adult’s attitude back then was “You don’t count, so tough cookies!”
“Bullying” in public schools goes way back, but the lust for revenge, or “justice,” has always existed. Believe it! Yet, that is just as wrong!
Years later, there were times where I would run into one of the males who wouldn’t allow me to sit down on that bus.
He always had a pained guilty look on his face. Dan, I forgive you, and the other two guys, as well. Besides, I always through your sister was cute!
Please forgive yourself, but teach your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to be kind and merciful to others, even on the bus!
After all ... we are all simply human, and all of us are made in the image of God!
Cheers to the class of 1976 -?Warsaw High!
William Gerald Smith
Warsaw (class of 1977)
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