The ripple-effect of a simple wave

Typically, when someone waves, it's a greeting from someone you know. So, when METS bus driver James Putnam drives past and offers a hardy wave, people may be taken aback. "Do I know him?" But after passing him by a few times, they realize it's a simple, friendly gesture he offers everyone. He waves because, "It's just a heartfelt thing to do," he said. "At first people would look at me like I was crazy, but now they are beginning to wave back." He hopes people will take the simple gesture of kindness and pass it on to others.

James is nearing his 19th anniversary of driving for METS. He jumped at the opportunity when the USI route came open and has been driving that circuit for the past two years.

His signature wave and the fist bump he offers passengers as they board the bus, meant so much to one USI student that he dedicated a blog entry to James, praising the impact the cheerful bus driver has made on him. A. Cole Schafer, a junior marketing major, wrote the following entry on his blog site, The Good & the Grey.

James: The Best Bus Driver To Ever Live

Believe it or not, one of the most valuable lessons I have learned thus far during my time here at the University of Southern Indiana didn't come from one of the many brilliant professors that inhabit the Romain College of Business. No, the lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my life came from a rather unlikely source, someone you would least expect. I was taught the lesson of compassion by a METS bus driver named James.

I first noticed James when I transferred to USI last year as a sophomore. It seemed that every time he would pass me in his 30-passenger shuttle bus, he would take the time to look up from his wheel and give me a great big wave. I can't really put into words, how or why this made me feel so good, but it just did. It was nice to know a complete stranger cared enough about me as an individual to take the time to offer a wave and a smile. Interestingly enough, I found that not only would James wave to me, but he would wave to each and every person that he passed on the street. It didn't matter if it was a student, a USI maintenance man, a car or another shuttle bus. If James saw you, he waved to you.

As the leaves began to fall from the trees, and the temperature outside got colder, I stopped walking to class and started taking the bus. Stepping onto the shuttle for the first time, I was offered a fist bump. Seeing the massive fist extended in the air, I quickly made the connection with the kind man who had waved to me every day since my first day of classes. Looking up I saw an enormous man in his late 40's that looked more like a D1 lineman than a bus driver, his broad shoulders shrunk the driver's seat in which he was seated. After I had accepted the fist bump, his closed hand nearly doubling mine in size, he offered a genuine smile and a "Good Morning!" Interestingly enough, I wasn't the only one James offered the fist bump to, he extended his hand to the next 15 or so kids that got on behind me.

After riding the bus for a few weeks I realized that not only would James wave to every person he passed in his three-mile circuit around USI's campus, but he would also fist bump and greet every student that boarded his bus. I once did a count of the number of people James fist bumped and waved to on a single trip around campus. After a 5- to 6-minute ride, I counted 17 waves and 22 fist bumps, and by the time I got off, he was only half way through his three-mile circuit around campus. James' three-mile circuit wasn't done just a few times a day, he worked 12-hour shifts Monday through Friday and probably completed that circuit close to 50 times a day. Do the math at how many smiles, waves, and fist bumps he gave out on a weekly basis.

A year and a half has passed since the first time James offered me a wave, and I can honestly say that he hasn't missed a day since. I had an opportunity to talk to James for a while a couple months ago, and was fortunate enough to learn about the man who seems to care more about other people than anyone I have ever met. And what he told me is something that has impacted my life ever since.

"I have driven buses for the city for the past 19 years. When I had the chance to drive around USI's campus with you guys, I jumped on it. It's funny, I wouldn't trade my job for anything in the world, I absolutely love it. I don't see how people get up, go to work and hate their jobs. I don't know man, that's just not me. That's not who I am. I love my job, and I love you guys. And this is the only way I know how to do my job. I try to get up every day and make life a little easier on you kids, I just want to make everyone's day better"

By the time we finished the conversation we had reached my destination, James was wearing a Santa hat because it was the week before USI let out for Christmas break. I watched as he waved at yet another passing car, and then offered me a fist bump as I got off the bus. It was at that moment, when I stepped off of the shuttle, and the cold December day felt a little less cold, that I realized I had met one of the greatest human beings to ever walk the Earth. God bless James.