Here, Take me trash bin.

Calling someone a “dumpster fire” is a negative slang term that means they are in a situation that is disastrous, out of control, and unlikely to improve.

Definitely NOT a “dumpster fire” but rather a beautiful person with a heart of gold.

The Flowerman was slowly pulling the Love Bus up to a rural bus stop early yesterday morning. In the designated area to park the Transit Bus to rest and stretch one’s legs for the 8:03 minutes remaining, The Flowermannoticed an individual picking up, inspecting then discarding the same two palm-sized packages multiple times. What the ? Then he recognized this passenger and knew a little of their challenges.

The individual boards the Love Bus, takes a seat but then immediately walks up to the front and places those two palm-sized packages in the dashboard trash bin. Out of sheer curiosity The Flowermanlooks within only to see two Dad’s-cookie cookie packages sitting at the bottom of the dashboard trash bin all crushed, worn and dirty. They’d obviously been on the ground and under some leaves and twigs for a long time.

With 6:08 remaining on the clock before the Love Bus’s scheduled departure this passenger asks to step outside. This oughta be interesting! For the duration of the stop over this passenger was busy picking up more trash from amongst the mud and leaves beneath their feet. They had gathered a crushed fruit juice drink box, Reese’s big cup chocolate wrapper, discarded knitted hat, and scraps of paper clutched in their hands approached the closed front service bay doors expecting to be let in with their new found treasures.

Opening the front service bay doors The Flowermanregrettably says “I’m sorry but i can’t let you back on this bus with all that trash.” Knowing there were three large dumpsters at the edge of the parking lot, The Flowerman gave this passenger the empty dashboard trash bin to put their treasures in along with any other items they felt needed gathering and would walk with them over to the dumpster and lift the lid. “Thank you” was uttered, “you’re welcome” was offered.

After leaving the highway and arriving back in Courtenay The Flowerman drops this passenger off close to the shelter they would be staying at. Regretting that he didn’t ask this passenger why they felt the urge to pick up all that trash scattered around a rural bus stop, The Flowerman was desperately hoping the answer would have been “just trying to be a good citizen.”

From previous encounters with this passenger and knowing their commute The Flowerman was hoping to see them once again at the end of his long shift driving them back to the same rural bus stop.

Rounding the corner at the downtown exchange The Flowerman sees them waiting for his bus. The anticipation was over, the question left unanswered would be asked.

Due to an unfortunate set of events beyond their control this passenger didn’t make it home one fateful dark and cold night days earlier. Out of sheer frustration this passenger threw their food to the ground. Had been taken in by the kindness of strangers, offered a cup of tea and a trip in an ambulance. This passenger opened up to The Flowerman sharing their own struggles with mental health and the trauma of their past.

This passenger was simply picking up their own trash that they themselves had thrown on the ground nights earlier. They were indeed just being that good citizen exactly what The Flowerman was hoping the answer to his question was going to be.

Use empathy for others rather than judgement. But for the Grace of God go I.

The Flowerman is looking forward to seeing this passenger again, sharing more of life’s journey with them.

Stay tuned!

The Flowerman

#comoxvalley #jdtheflowerman #pathfinder #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters