Strangers to Friends

Smoggie had an altered version of “why did the chicken cross the street?”  joke. His was something like “how does my friend (Momley) cross the street?” and the punch line was something like “she would hail a cab!” I may not remember Smoggie’s exact words, but that is the gist of it!

Since my supply teaching gig started auspiciously on January 17th, I have become my good old "Cab Queen" self again. Most mornings, I take a taxi to whichever school I am assigned to and then, at the end of the day, I take the leisurely TTC way.

I find that mornings are hectic and I do not want to be that yelling, screaming parent who is getting the children ready for school and getting herself ready for work, and she is already stressed out and exhausted before she gets there! So, I take it easy. We still have mornings with a calm Momley.

Just as I have gone back to a school a second or a third time or more. Now, I am seeing that with the cab drivers as well. 

This one guy drove me to a school a couple of weeks ago. We had an awesome exchange about privilege and helplessness that day. Last week, he was back 2 days in a row and I went to a different (first time) school those 2 consecutive days. He turned out to be the best part of both the days. I was at this middle school that left me sad and frightened. The first day was extremely painful. The second day, before I got back to this very same school, I had a calm conversation with this man. He told me that although he is driving a cab now, he aspires to own a bakery and he shared his plans with me. I told him that I would surely keep an eye out for the opening of his bakery, and definitely drop by. He also assured me that my supply teaching would get better with experience and confidence.

I wish to see him in his bakery the next time. He has a cool name for it and I will never forget it!

Today, I had another repeat cab dude! He remembered exactly where he dropped me off the first time. I apologized for perhaps talking too much that day for him to have retained that information. He earnestly assured me that I do not talk too much! He eloquently conveyed that I am a good communicator! We talked about kids and being parents. He had an unfortunate story to share about his one and only child. I was sympathetic. And he was happy for me when I shared about my 2 boys and how I have no regrets about staying home and taking care of them.

There are days I feel like I am an "old" teacher off to break some new ground. It is great when I can express my apprehensions and fears to perfect strangers in taxi cabs. How wonderful to start off my day by unloading any negativity and stepping out in the most positive way possible!

In the last few days, I feel like I am almost amongst friends. Isn't that how friendships start?! With perfect strangers!!