Heading out to Newark Airport yesterday I sat in a packed shuttle making its final stop to pick up passengers. The ticket collector seemingly quite harried as she marched up and down the aisle counting empty seats while barking at us to have our stubs ready to hand over. Let’s just say she was less than patient and cordial in the process.

Then her phone rang. I thought this was odd that she had a cell phone in her pocket. What happened to walky-talkies in transportation industry?  In fact, I thought it might be her supervisor on the sidewalk wanting to get the final count of remaining spaces. But her voice softened noticeably and this is what I heard.

“No, not now. Mommy’s very busy.”

That touch of tenderness changed the rush hour ride for me.

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