Wilson, The Boy Who Hated to Ride the School Bus

by Juanita G. Ellis

Wilson loved to walk home after school. When all the other kids raced to the yellow school buses lined up in front of T.J. Walker, Wilson would walk around to the side of the building, past the basketball court and the pile of sand at the very edge of the playground. Wilson liked walking through the play yard. He liked remembering the fun he had at recess.

Wilson hated riding the bus. Sometimes, Wilson’s bus would be late, or it would be in a different spot. Sometimes, the regular bus driver would not be there. Someone ELSE would be driving the bus, or the number of the bus would be changed. Some of his friends HAD to ride the school bus, but Wilson had a choice. His house was not too far from the school.

The day Wilson decided not to ever ride the bus again was the day he collided with another boy in the hall. The dismissal bell had rung. Everyone was racing for the buses! That was another reason Wilson hated the bus. Sometimes, he wasn’t fast enough. After getting his books and his coat and running to the buses, he still missed the bus!

That day in the hall outside of his 5th grade room, he bumped heads with another boy who was running for HIS bus! A huge egg developed on Wilson’s forehead. He tried very hard not to cry. “WHAT happened to you?” everyone asked. That’s when Wilson decided to get off the bus. He never rode the bus again. Past the playground behind the school was a huge ditch that divided the housing project from the schoolyard. A board was placed over the ditch at the far edge of the playground. Wilson thought, “Some kids made that bridge.” Wilson loved walking beside the ditch until he came to the bridge. By the second day, Wilson could find the bridge without even thinking about it. The houses on the other side of the bridge were all alike, but Wilson just kept walking toward his house. He was not afraid. He felt good inside. Wilson loved walking. He liked remembering the street names. He liked listening to himself as he thought of different things. He knew he was growing taller. He liked growing up. During those walks home from school, Wilson discovered a secret! God was with him as he was growing stronger and older! Wilson knew God would be with him when he was a grown man. Would God be with him when he was a grandpa? Squaring his shoulders, Wilson knew the answer was YES!

1. Do you and Wilson share some of the same feelings? 2. How is Wilson changing and growing? 3. Do you think part of Wilson’s confidence comes from knowing God is with him?

• The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Bradley County is scheduled for Sat., May 21 at First Baptist Church in Cleveland from 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.

• This year’s theme is “RACING FOR A CURE” with Teams made up of churches, businesses, family/friends, schools etc. They will be decked out as Relay Pit Crew and each campsite decorated in NASCAR or other racing decorations selling items to raise money for ACS. To register your free team go to www.relayforlife.org/bradleytn or call 1-800-227-2345.

• Relay For Life Kickoff breakfast will be at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church on March 15 at 7:30 a.m. Please RSVP by March 9th at 423-498-6118.