a smile

I said goodbye to my teacher and was glad Friday was over! I made my way to the bus stop listening to my ipod in my own musically enchanted world. As I got on the bus, I headed for the back - my usual routine. As the bus driver made his way from stop to stop, I noticed a young lady running with a bag and groceries in both her arms from the other side of the street signaling him to wait! (I hate to admit it but I do people-watch from the back and find it quite entertaining.) I immediately thought whether or not he would ignore it or make her day by waiting. He waited! She had the largest smile on her face and it radiated to every corner of the bus. I felt it. It made me smile. She seemed to be a happy person. She stood near the front and took out an article to read.

The bus driver continued and three young kids entered the bus - one girl and two boys. They were most likely just out of high school because it was only one in the afternoon and most kids who ditch school would not dare taking the bus during that time. They also had never taken the bus it seemed. They talked to the bus driver and although I could not hear anything, it turned out they did not have enough money. Looking around, they gently asked the young lady with the big smile if she could lend some money. She looked eager to help. She went into her bag and gave them some money with, of course, a big smile on her face. And from the movement of one of the kid's lips, I could clearly make out that she had said, "thank you very much!" An older man sitting near the young lady began a conversation with her and both laughed and had a good time.

This definitely made my day today. How one smile can affect multiple people's lives in a matter of minutes! I wanted to laugh out with joy because it was a simple, yet beautiful gesture.