The Garbage Man

Happy Birthday to Me! 59 years young today!
My Birthday present came a month early (below).

The Garbage Man

I was in a long line at Bojangles’ drive-thru this morning,

If I stay here, I’ll be late, I thought, yawning,

Then a loud noise woke me out of my thinking,

A huge garbage truck was beside me; with flashers blinking,

The driver was ready to empty the dumpster in front of me,

I had to get out of his way; my new car was in jeopardy!

But he jumped out of his truck with a big smile on his face,

He nodded at me as if to say: “I’ve got plenty of space”,

He practically bounced over to the open the gates to the bin,

He had a certain spring in his step, a joy that only comes from within,

He waved at me as he got back in his truck to move on,

He was a garbage man, but for him, it was fun,

He found joy in his work, and it was evident to see,

He set an example for you and especially for me,

A gentleman you’d want to stop and talk to,

He reminded me of someone I already knew,

He was what I needed to see on that exact day,

I knew I was there for that, so I drove away,

It wasn’t the food I was meant to receive,

But the joy-giving spirit of a stranger, I believe,

I sobbed and I smiled because he was so like my love,

Who was probably looking down from above.

Please stop to notice small happenings around you,

You may find a hidden blessing without meaning to,

Better yet, be that person who sets the example,

The opportunities are there, and the joy is ample!

That day I received a blessing from someone who didn’t even know,

How much he caused my heart to grow.

Tammy Harvey

Written:  12/22/2018