I've got your back

     I walked out to my school bus with just enough time to do a pre-trip (a check of the vehicle to make sure everything is working correctly) before heading out to pick up my first student. When I got to the part where I check the tires, I grabbed my thumper and started hitting the tires. Hitting them with a rod or wooden stick is the best way to make sure they are not flat especially on dual tires where one could hold the other up enough so it does not look flat. What you want is for the thumper to bounce off the tire. That day my thumper did not bounce, it went thud. Not once, but twice.
     Turns out I actually had three flat tires! Had this been my personal car,  I would have had quite a problem. But working for the school district gave me a distinct advantage. All of us work together as a team to accomplish our mission of getting children safely to school. So I got on the radio and told our dispatcher my plight. She said okay, come in to the office and pick up the keys to a bus that is already checked out and ready to go. She also alerted the mechanics who replaced all the tires and had the bus ready to go before the next time it would be needed to transport children to school.
     Many times I have heard a driver come over the radio and say that they are way behind and can anybody help them out. Most of the time another driver will answer that they are between bus routes and they can help out.  Sometimes, two or three drivers will each grab a few stops so the first driver can get back on schedule. One time a new driver actually picked up the wrong students. Turns out there were two groups of kids less then a block apart going to different schools and being new she stopped at the wrong group. When she figured out what she had done she was on the radio asking the dispatcher what she should do?
     The answer was immediate. Take the kids to the school they need to go to. Then the dispatcher asked who could pick up the students that were missed. Several drivers answered that they could help. Crisis averted. There are a few drivers who stand out in their willingness to help out but there is a general consensus that we are all willing to help someone out when it's needed.  We have each others backs. This is one reason that I enjoy driving school bus. I know other drivers will be there for me if I need it. We are a team.

    So here is my thought. In our world today it seems like many people want to go it alone. Asking people for help is not easy.  Nor is being available when someone needs our help. However, I am here to tell you that we all need support. We all need a team.  ""So how do I get one?" you ask. I have two suggestions.  Just wait for someone to come along and ask if they can be part of your team (NOT). Or, start reaching out to help others and/or join a group with like interests. Sooner or later, if you start having other peoples' backs, you will turn around and someone will have your back.  Just a thought.
     Next week I will tell you what I think we all have in common with the zucchini plant. Come back next week to read "Help Me, I am Dying" or better yet just subscribe to the blog and let it come to you.
   

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