12/2/22 – I changed my original return flight from NYC (business trip) from 3p to 6a, in order to get back to watch Pierce’s first basketball game of his sophomore year. So it was a bit of a challenge to be up by 3:30a EST, get to the airport and continue a long day of travel with a short layover in Charlotte. I did everything I could to avoid checking a bag so I could zip off the plane on the return to KC. My last several trips have been frustrating on the time it takes to get off the plane to reach my vehicle in long term parking, always waiting on that blue bus that comes allegedly every 15 minutes. Of course I’ve also had more than a couple of times where even though my luggage is carry-on, they run out of space and they check the bag, which totally kills any momentum of getting out of the airport before the others on the plane.
But this day was different. After landing shortly after 11am, I was able to exit the plane in record time with all my luggage in hand, and hoped that it wouldn’t be long for the blue bus. As I approached the single file, small exit door on the secure side of terminal C, a pretty oblivious lady stopped to ask connecting flight information blocking the door. Frustrated, but patiently slipped by and darted through the vestibule hoping that the blue bus hadn’t already made it’s rounds. I looked to the right first and saw nothing, and upon looking left, I saw not one, but two glorious blue buses. And I’m the only soul at the stop. It was too good to be true. I even assumed that the first of the buses would drive right past me, surely it was full. I quickly realized I was the last stop in the circle loop, now realizing I hope I have a seat on either one of them.
As the first blue bus approached within 30 seconds of my arriving at the stop, the driver stopped and opened it’s door. I walked in with complete shock that I was THE ONLY soul on the bus. The bus driver, a large African-American man likely in his 50s, welcomed me, but the 3 minute drive was enjoyed in complete silence.
As we approached the parking lot, the driver asked me what stop I parked at. “One,please” I said.
The driver then asked how my trip went. I said, “Great, Thank you”. Then he continued with ‘..but there’s no place like home, huh?”
I said, “Amen!”
After a short time had passed and as we approached my stop, the driver asked with a smile “Are you a preacher? You look like a preacher!”
This really took me aback, and I responded with an appreciative laugh and said “Not by trade!” I’m sure he could see my smile from ear to ear, having been blessed by this unprovoked compliment, and likely the reminder I needed to Shine His Light.
As he stopped, I grabbed my luggage and walked toward the front of the bus to see his outstretched right hand and I enthusiastically shook his hand. He told me, “Well if I don’t see you again sir, I’ll catch you at the Rapture.”
This phrase was so unexpected and provided a jolt to me as I was inquiring in my mind at warp speed as to what would have provoked this man to use that phrase with me. I’ve been on this bus maybe 100 times in my life, and I cannot recall a single time I was ever on it alone. And his phrase about the rapture took me instantly to assume he attends a church that may speak more readily about end of times than the churches I’ve attended in my life. In spite of all of these thoughts, I was very cognizant that was certainly one of those “God moments” that felt special to me.
As I let go of his hand, I felt a nudge that there was something unfinished. I could have stayed and talked longer, but in many ways, more time with me would have only cheapened this experience for us. I took two steps toward the door and stopped and turned back and said “My name is Ben,” and went back to shake his hand again. “I’m Don” said the driver.
“See ya next time, Don!” I said as I exited the blue bus. Setting my record, by far, from plane landing to being in my car to drive home.
I shared this story first with Erin, then Chuck and Amy Freeman, and then my parents over the course of that weekend. I was energized to see they received this as something special as well, giving me confidence it wasn’t something I’d overstated or magnified for my own joy.
I brought this encounter up with my guys at WhiteFlag to see what they thought too.
They were all too quick to point out Don and The Bus, with obvious similarities to C.S. Lewis “The Great Divorce”. By the end of this telling, I began wondering if I was really on a bus at all. Don and God were the only witnesses. Regardless, Don injected life in me that day.
And I can’t let the story end without including how special Pierce’s first game was. I made it on time, and he didn’t miss a shot until the 3rd quarter! He hit is first five 3 pointers, including a layup…going 6 for 6 in the first half for 17 points (14 in the 1st quarter). He finished the game with 21, and it was special.
