A Gift

Some folks line up early for concert tickets. I line up early for a car wash. Recently, I scored a hit by being the first one in line. It was a Saturday morning and the OPEN sign hadn't started flashing yet. The kids with the pants falling down to their calves adjusted their earbuds and coughed up the phlegm of a morning that arrived a little too soon. One young lad was doing the hippety hop as he squished his feet into a pair of knee high rubber boots. The jumbo fans roared into action and the scrubbing mechanical dreadlocks started swirling around, awaiting their first grubby vehicle. Finally, the OPEN sign crackled on and a young man approached my window. I gave him my order and left my vehicle in the hands of the saggy pants boys and the chamber of soap and water.

As I handed my signed receipt to the cashier, I noticed that he took a special interest in my name. He looked up at me and said, "I thought I recognized you. You were my teacher." I studied the young man's metal studded face and responded as I have learned to do after so many years in my profession, "Wow." (slight pause) "Please forgive me, but you will have to remind me of your name." He introduced himself and fortunately, I remembered which school and grade level I was teaching when he was in my class. We enjoyed a brief nostalgic moment and I stepped aside so he could wait on the next customer.

My vehicle was getting its final wipe down when I noticed a little kerfuffle near my vehicle. Soon, a young man entered the waiting area and informed me that he was ordering my vehicle through the line again. "They didn't vacuum the hatchback area and there are still bugs stuck to the front." I thanked him for his thoughtfulness and told him that they had forgotten to vacuum that area the last time I was at their car wash. I didn't catch it until I got home and I didn't feel the need to go back and report it. "Well", he said, "We'll get it right this time."

I went back to reading my book as I awaited another car wash round, thankful for the chance to read a few more pages and have a clean vehicle, too. I read just a couple paragraphs when my former student stopped by my chair and handed me a card. "Here, this if for you and your inconvenience today." I looked at the card and it said: Good for one free car wash. I looked up at my student and saw that he was grinning from ear to ear. My heart was overwhelmed with gratitude and I told him that I didn't mind waiting because it gave me a chance to continue reading my book. He giggled a little and headed back to his station.

I left the car wash with another thank you to my student and a quick smile and wave to the attendant who took such good care of my vehicle. As I eased out into the street, I got a little misty-eyed. It is no secret that there are times when teaching sucks the life out of a person. Mischievous students, heart-breaking family dynamics, endless paperwork, demanding parents, overflowing e-mails and countless needs can make one very weary. Funny, how a little card for a free carwash from a former student can wipe all of that away.

Maybe, we do make a difference after all.