51 Comments
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Thomas D’Arcy O’Donnell's avatar

.. Gorgeously Written & Delivered ! Verily ! A ‘truly human message ! 🦎🏴‍☠️💋

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for taking a bus ride with me, my friend. Glad you liked it.

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Joan Spilman's avatar

Hey, I thought my pink socks made the outfit pop! I guess it's "Bye, bye, socks!"

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Noooooo! Pink socks rule!

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Linda Brown's avatar

Well-said, old lady (friend!).

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Granny...

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Kate Henry's avatar

A good share of us are still breathing in sequence, plotting the new day. Start of April, so shuffling receipts from the business... a bit at a time cuz I'm not good with numbers. Garden is a solid sea of flourescent blue with splashes of bright yellow and white. Gotta put in some maintenance time on them. MIGHT get an hour to sew up a couple more quilt blocks. No time limit on those. Meds for my antique cat. PLot/scheme the next loom time, not today. Lunch with the love of my life. )) Almost warm enough for breakfast in the back garden. ))))

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

All the news from Indiana! You go, girl!

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Jim J Wilsky's avatar

Nice job on this Sharron. Everyone has a story. - Jim

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes, indeed. Thanks, Jim

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Wade Terry's avatar

Sharron…. You are so insightful, thoughtful, and empathetic….. I hope I may grow up to be like you….

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yikes! Be careful there. I wouldn't wish my personal outlook on anyone, Wade.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

He shouts, “I used to make good money. I used to make good money.”

"Once I lived the life of a millionaire/spending my money, I didn't care..."

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

"...Taking my friends out for a might fine time, drinking high-priced liquor, champagne and wine... ha ha ha

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Kim Smyth's avatar

You are so right, Sharon. We need to think about respecting people and not be so judgemental.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I need that reminder as much as anyone, I will tell you, Kim.

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

One day I’ll have to take public transit bus in LA. But remember back of school bus was free for all where you could get beaten up by bullies. I’ll sit in front someday.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh yeah. I remember the back of the bus in school. I never tried it.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Lounging on a bus is a superb way to imagine the past lives of so many and enhance not only your own moments, but your imagination gets wonderful exercise!

Love your rides of #B or whatever line you would like to take this evening

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks for this encouragement, Jill! I loved your piece this morning, too.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

I love you Metro bus stories. It's a rich trove of characters to reveal to us. This one hit close to home. If only the young people understood how we lived in our young years and what legacies we brought for them to enjoy or malign. Oh well. Their time will come. The beat goes on .......

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Everyone who lives long enough has the experience of fading, of being invisible before we die. Maybe it makes our dying easier?

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

As depressing a thought as that is, it's true. And old people see that and figure why stay around. In Nevada, the top cause of death is suicide. This state has such lousy medical and elder care facilities, and a high meth incidence that seniors at least appear to be killing themselves.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yikes! An appalling thought.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

Yeah, the future looks pretty bleak from here. As long as my grands needs me, I'm good though.

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

Oh my goodness, that's a devastating and shocking statistic, Sue. xxx

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

While assisted living facilities are an improvement over the state institutions of the past, it really depends on the people who work there. For example, the woman who handed out meds to clients in a three-story place here would lock the elevator from use for her own convenience. If someone wanted to use it, they'd have to use the stairs instead. Imagine old people were sketchy ambulatory faculty using stairs. One person! That's all it takes. It you have a whole staff that's "for their own convenience," it becomes hellacious.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I just cannot imagine why anyone would do that.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

selfish

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Rebecca Holden's avatar

The behaviour of some people in society is absolutely appalling. What a horrific situation!

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Beautifully written and insightful piece, Sharon. I guess everyone is an equal on the bus and that's a good thing, I suppose. And hey, I used to make good money!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

So did I. I spent it all. Had a great life. Now I am busing it. It was all worth it!

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Haha! That's my Sharron.

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Janice Walton's avatar

I'd been waiting for another bus story. There are certainly wonderful stories to be told. "To be seen and acknowledged, no matter the age." What an important message to be reminded of.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes. I have to stop lamenting my own invisibility and get out there and help others feel "recognized".

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Kathleen Hobbs's avatar

Another very enjoyable ride.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Well, thank you, Kathleen! I appreciate so much your re-stacking of my little stories. You are very kind.

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Yael Gelardin's avatar

You’re so talented , Sharron! I love your bus ride stories. Thank you so much.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Yael, for your kind words. If ever I am at a loss for a story, I just jump on the bus. There is always a story out there -- sometimes funny, sometimes scary or sad, but always 99% true.

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Justin Deming's avatar

Beautifully written, Sharron. There are so many important reminders embedded in your bus stories, and your humor always shines through!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

With all the family obligations you have and all the writing you do, you always find time to read and comment on my stories. I am so grateful, Justin. It means everything to me.

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