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A thrill of hope: School bus

News | December 10, 2020

For more than a year after my mom died, I strained my neck every Saturday to see her school bus, No. 20, in the lot across from the Bettendorf post office. A couple of months ago, I took a different route out of the post office parking lot and suddenly found myself face-to-face with it. It was sitting off from the rest of the fleet near the fence with three others, most likely only put into rotation when a sub bus is needed. I caught my breath that day, yet at the same time smiled because nobody else was assigned to it on a regular basis. Because to me, even though it belongs to the bus company, it will always be my mom’s bus.

So now whenever I take that exit from the post office, I give a little wave and a smile. It’s comforting to know there are signs of her all around, like the cardinals that just wouldn’t leave my tomato plants one day this summer no matter how close I got, or the one basking in the sun right outside the window I could see from my desk yesterday. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years already, though some days it seems forever ago. Keep the God smiles coming, Mom. We ❤️ you.

Erin Platt lives in Davenport, with her husband Jason and step-son, Wyeth. Her mom, Evalea McBride, drove a school bus for Pleasant Valley School District for 43 years. She died on Dec. 5, 2018.

2 Comments on “A thrill of hope: School bus”

  • Patty Herzberg

    December 13, 2020 at 8:39 am

    My children were not on your mom’s bus route, but we all knew of her – perhaps with a little fear, but also a deep sense of safety and love for her special cargo. My children are now young adults but a school bus driving thru the neighborhood is a sign of hope for a good school day. Good memories, thank you.

  • Carolyn Dannatt

    December 11, 2020 at 10:22 am

    Thank you for the tribute to your Mom. Yes, she was very strict, but a very caring and devoted driver who practiced her faith in fairness to her students and above all her dedication to the safety of her most precious cargo – her student passengers!

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