This morning on my otherwise chilly bike ride I found myself paced by a school bus for nearly half a mile and it occurred to me that this is a perfect metaphor for both my literal and figurative ride through life.
There, sitting at the front of the bus so the driver can keep a watchful eye on him, is a 6 year old hyperactive kid from upstate New York buying time between outbursts. He’s joined a few rows back by a greasy haired teenage guido tossing wise cracks loudly around to mask his insecurities. Tucked in the way-way back lurks the portly thirty something, a stack of excuses piled high beside him, these reasons and rationalizations for letting himself go his biggest weight to bear. Strategically interspersed about the bus, casting reckless aspersions at will, are a trio of bullies Envy, Gluttony and Sloth.
As the belching barreling beast bears down on my back I lean forward, doubling my already frantic pace. The bus lurches, slowed momentarily by periodic speed bumps but begins to gain on me. Just in the distance the road forks, offering a left or right decision. My path leads me to the left but it’s unclear where the bus is heading. The now frustrated driver grinds his gears and moves to pass, only to be thwarted by yet another speed bump. My mind and body whirl, the race for my life is on. I can’t afford to let this bus overtake me today!
The bus pulls beside me to my left, the occupants and driver no doubt sneering derisively at my audacious attempt at road dominance. The fork rapidly approaches but not before one more fortuitous speed bump brings the bus to a grinding halt. Desperately and furiously pedaling I veer to the left leaving the bus of previous failures futilely fuming behind. For now victory in this race for both my literal and figurative life is mine. Victory is short lived as I know there will be another bus tomorrow, and every day thereafter, and that is what keeps me going.
Mannino Acid 