Every morning, I drive an elementary school bus. I see yawning faces, little backpacks bouncing, siblings arguing over seats—and sometimes, small acts of kindness hidden in plain view. But one afternoon, something different unfolded on my bus that I will never forget.
It all began with crochet.
I had been working on a simple taco‐shaped crochet pattern during down time—something I enjoy doing to calm my mind and be creative. I thought nothing of it. One of my students, probably bored of the usual bus ride routine, looked over and asked, “What are you doing?” It was curious, playful, maybe even a little teasing. Crocheting? That’s something you don’t expect from your bus driver.
They challenged me: “Make something for us.” Just like that, the challenge was on.
The Challenge
Rather than saying no, I said yes.
But instead of making one thing, I left the choice up to them. I asked each of them what they would like me to crochet. A fish. A flower. A star… maybe something from Star Wars. A taco (that original one!). Before I knew it, there were 34 different requests—34 little ideas from bright young minds.
Some picked very simple shapes: hearts, suns, frogs. Others wanted patterns from pop culture—superheroes, sci-fi themes. A few asked for something cute they could snuggle. I took notes (and loads of pictures for reference), bought colored yarn, and got to work.
More Than Just Yarn
Crocheting 34 items is not a trivial task. It meant extra evenings, sore fingers, and planning. But every stitch carried a thought: “This is for them.” Each time I looped yarn, I imagined the smile when they saw their own chosen project finished.
When I handed them out, the reactions were priceless. Eyes widened. Some kids gasped. One little girl hugged her crocheted star so tightly she didn’t want to let go. Another boy held a taco and said, “This is mine?” as if he couldn’t believe something so small could be so special.
What It Meant
It didn’t stop at the bus stop. Parents started telling me stories, and those stories made my chest feel too full:
- One child takes their crocheted piece to bed every night. It’s their comfort.
- Another carries it to church, showing it off like it’s a trophy.
- Another begged their family to take it on vacation, insisted it came along in the suitcase.
These weren’t just crafts. They were connections. They were belonging. They were something made just for them—by someone they saw every school day, someone they trusted to drive them safely, and someone who took time to listen.
Why It Matters
People often think that big gestures make the biggest difference. But what this taught me is that sometimes small actions—something as simple as a yarn loop, a moment of listening—can mean the world to a child. They feel seen. They feel valued.
And for me, as a bus driver, the rewards have been unexpected but amazing. When I see one of those crocheted items, I’m reminded not just that creativity matters—but that kindness, consistency, presence, and craft can build trust and joy.
Final Thoughts
If you drive a bus, teach a class, tend a nursery, or just live life where people see you more often than you notice—they’re watching. What you do in small moments can echo in ways you’ll never fully know.
For me: a simple crochet hook, some yarn, and a willing heart turned a regular day into something unforgettable. Whatever your “hook and yarn” is—what if you used it, quietly, to challenge expectations, spread kindness, and build the kind of stories that little hands still clutch tight at bedtime?