everyone was intently listening to Joy, soaking up every
word. They loved her as much as he did. He noticed an
elderly gentleman sitting in the middle of the bus whom
he hadn’t seen before. The man was thin and wore a hat
and glasses. He had one of those wrinkled faces you find
in elderly people that could tell you about the places they
have been, the things they have seen, the lives they have
lived, and the lessons they have learned if you would
only take the time to listen to them. The man had a
sparkle in his eye that lit up when he made eye contact
with George. George acknowledged him and the man
lifted his hat and nodded with a greeting in return.
Yup, Joy thought, as she watched the interaction in
her rearview mirror. The right people certainly come on
our bus at the right time just when we need them.
“I’d like you to meet Eddy,” she said directing George
to the elderly gentleman. “Eddy and I met at the home
where my father lives. Eddy’s wife also had Alzheimer’s
and we met at the facility. Unfortunately Eddy’s wife
passed on and he had a real rough time with it. But after
a year of mourning he’s now living his life again and I’d
say he has more energy and is busier than most twenty-
year-olds I know. Tell him how old you are, Eddy.”
“Eighty-eight,” he replied.
“That’s right, George, eighty-eight and he plays the
piano daily, writes poetry, travels the country by train visit-
ing relatives, and takes my bus when he’s home to meet
new people, go to new places and do new things. Eddy
has taught me the secret to life and it is this: The goal in
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The Energy Bus