Okay, this is story that I have contemplated posting about, it is one that has ripped me apart and made me so frustrated, sad, angry, angry and angry! But, I am hoping one day, it may be a story we will laugh about, probably not for a long time, but hopefully. It happened over 2 months ago and I am finally to the point where I don't start to tear up, or start to shake when telling it. But I need to remember it (not like I am going to forget it, but just in case).
So here it is....
Back in September when Bode started Kindergarten, we were excited for him to start a new adventure. With that excitement came nervousness and everything that comes with your child starting a new school year. Bode does not do well with changes, he actually does awful with changes, so I know this was going to be a BIG adjustment for him. We were excited to know that he would be in a class with a wonderful teacher (she is amazing, he has always had wonderful teachers). That made the transition a little easier. With the classroom being new, there is also a new bus to ride on. The first couple days were very traumatic for Bode. There was a little boy that screamed the whole bus ride that really freaked Bode out, he did not want to get on the bus. And when he got on the bus, he moved himself clear to the back of the bus so he did not have to sit by this little boy. There alone made me feel bad about putting him on the bus, but I had to. Bode will be riding the bus for a LONG time and he needed to get use to it. Well the little boys crying shortened a little more each day. Finally Bode was finally getting use to going on the bus. Relief.
Well, the next week Bode got on the bus at his regular time. Off he went to school. Time passes and passes...the door bell rings, (3 hours after Bode left for school) it was Bode and his bus driver. Hummm...I thought, I asked "Why is Bode home, was it short day, did something happen?" The bus driver responded "No, the school called and wanted me to swing by and bring Bode home." Hummmm...weird, but okay. Bode comes in and of course I call the school to find out what is going on. The school answers, I say, "I am just wondering why Bode is home from school, was it short day, or something happen?" They responded, "Bode? Bode hasn't been to school all day, we have him down as an absent." Me: "What?" tears start coming, I am really freaked out at this point. ME: "Well where has he been?" So at that point the school called transportation trying to figure out what happened. No answer, finally they called me back and we discussed what had happened. I am really not going to go into detail of the conversations we had the next day or so, the transportation ended up working things out with us and there really is no reason to get into that. But to answer a few questions that may arise, here are a few answers.
Where was Bode for the 3 hours that he was on the bus:
Bode got picked up from our house, he is first. The bus driver then made the rounds and picked up all the kids. The driver drives to the school. All the kids get out of the bus. Bode stays on. Bus driver does not walk the bus therefore he does not see Bode on the bus. I am not sure if Bode had fallen asleep or what, but Bode did not get of the bus. The driver then says that he went to the transportation garage, ate lunch and read. The time came for the drivers next pickup and that is when he/she realizes that Bode is still on the bus. The driver freaks out, brings Bode home, makes up a story and leaves.
Was Bode alone on the bus for some of that time?
We are not sure, but we are guaranteeing that he was. Bode probably did fall asleep for the first 45 minutes, but for the next 2 hours 15 minutes he had to have been awake. And if he was awake, the bus driver would have noticed him. But since he was alone on the bus, nobody noticed him. This leads to so many more what if's, that we just can't even go there....we are so glad that he is safe.
Is Bode okay?
Well, besides the traumatizing effect of being on a bus for 3 hours, he is okay. We feel very strong that it was a BIG mistake and the driver did not handle the situation like they should have. Bode seemed fine when he got home, just a little dirty from all of the dust on the bus and everything checked out okay at the doctor. The fact that he did not want to get on that bus for at least 2 weeks was a little difficult. I felt as if I shouldn't be sending him on the bus again. But again, he will be riding the bus for a long time and it is something we have to get use to.
What happened to the driver?
I am not sure, I know that he/she is still driving. I was running about 1 1/2 months ago and there was a bus pulled over to the side of the road (6:15 am) and I looked up and it was the driver. My heart started pounding and I felt all the emotions that I felt on that day. This was the first time I had see the driver since this all happened. So yes, I believe they still have a job, which I am glad for. I don't want anyone loosing their job during these times, but I sure hope that he/she is not driving special needs kids that cannot communicate.
Did he get a new bus driver?
YES! That is the one request we had. We did get a new bus driver and they are amazing! We love them and we love the driver that brings him home. I feel very comfortable putting my son on the bus with them. He is now to the point where he loves (well most of the time) to get on the bus and go to school. Happy times!
So that is my crazy story, not one that I enjoyed one bit! But like I said before, we know Bode was okay and it could have been much worse, so we are grateful for that. The things that Bode puts us through and the experiences we have with him I guess they make us stronger people. The long nights, the early mornings, the making quesadilla after quesadilla, the taking him to the potty, the screaming, the stubbornness, the language barrier, the messes, etc, etc...don't even match to the huge smile, the giggles, the dancing, the loves, the kisses, the snuggling, the "No's", the sweet little hands, the singing, the playing and all the joys he brings to our family. There are days, probably at least one or two a week, that I just say..."Do I have to do it, I can't do it today!" And then he will do that little something that tells me it is all worth it!
Bode looking out the window waiting for the bus to come
