It’s mid afternoon – the quiet lull at the bus station. Almost all the other families have left and the ones who are left are trying to settle down for a nap. It’s the time of day when the volunteers try to catch their breath and enjoy the relative quiet and calm.
It’s also a great time to break out a special item for a child who’s got a long wait ahead. We don’t always have enough of all the special items to go around so sometimes you save them up until there’s just a child or two left. Today there are two children and by chance 2 Puente Pals, soft cloth pillow dolls, in the IWC closet.
The volunteer brings out two dolls – one a charcoal grey with a tie-dye shirt and the other a floral doll with a colorful crochet scarf. The little girl’s eyes light up when she sees the one with the scarf and bright blue eyes. A wide smile breaks across her face. They dance together. “Mami, mami” – she shows her off to her mother. Later she’ll use her as a pillow while she catches a nap stretched out on the hard metal benches of the bus station.
A few pieces of cloth – a new friend for the journey – a moment of joy. This is the work of our community of care, welcome, and kindness.
Katie Myers serves on the Board of Directors and is Currently the Bus Station Coordinator.
For more information on Volunteering please click here.
