I was waiting at the DFW Airport rental car center’s bus hub, hoping to catch the next shuttle to Terminal D. The bus eventually pulled up, and the driver hopped out to help me load my luggage into the array of luggage shelves. As I took a seat, I noticed him reaching up on tippie-toes to grab something above his driver’s seat, and I watched with curiosity as he emerged with a stack of yellow napkins – Wendy’s, I’d guess – before starting down the center aisle. I wondered to myself why he would need napkins at a time like this, but I soon had my answer as he handed the stack to a woman who was sobbing uncontrollably in her seat, unable to say goodbye to the family she had been visiting.
He was a simple man, but his bus was an enclave of extraordinary heart. He would repeat over the intercom, each time new passengers came on, something that went like this: “Hello, my name is Tyrone Postell, and I welcome you to Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport. Thank you for riding the V-I-P bus to Terminals C and D. We’ll be going to Terminal C first, and make three stops, and then we’ll go to Terminal D and make two stops. Those of you getting off at Terminal D, I thank you for your patience. I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year and to thank you for your gratitude. And remember … you’re all very special people. Thank you for riding the V-I-P bus.” The line varied ever so slightly each time, perhaps to remind us that it wasn’t a prerecorded message. Each time he said it, it took his effort and care, but he didn’t seem to mind repeating himself after each stop because at least one new person who just got on hadn’t yet heard his mix of information and inspiration.
It wasn’t a VIP bus, of course – it was the shuttle from the rental car center to Terminals C and D and back, a microcosm compared to the thousands of buses scampering to and fro; and the passengers were only a dozen of the tens of thousands of airport patrons hoping to catch their flight on time. But for those of you whose hearts are warmed by little videos on YouTube or richprosperity.com, remember to keep an eye and ear out for these microcosms in the real world and find the ones who are already trying their hardest to bring more happiness into your life.
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