(Note: This isn’t the exact knapsack noted in the story)
By Brenda Neal
Each day I spent at the Greyhound Station in San Antonio had its own story, but one encounter has remained with me for several years. I hope to carry it in my memories for a long time.
Before the onset of Covid, the giveaways to travelers were quite generous. Each backpack came with a small blanket, a piece of fruit, a toy, a sandwich, a drink, and whatever else might be necessary for the journey. Over time, however, the backpacks were often given to children without any contents. At times, the staff filled them with diapers, finger puppets, an apple, some nutrition bars, and a bottle of water.
On one particular day when supplies were minimal, a mother and her approximately 4-year-old child approached me to say he had not received a bag. I searched through what remained and only found drab grey and black backpacks. The two of them stood there with disappointed looks on their faces. Finally, I discovered a backpack covered in dinosaurs and hoped it would be acceptable.
The boy was ecstatic! He cheered, jumped around, and put it on as if it were made just for him.
What happened next was completely unprompted. His thin arms wrapped around my waist, and his cheek rested against me. It was a hug so strong that I still feel it every time I remember the joy of that child. All of this was thanks to a small gift he received at the bus station.
