A school bus driver in Rhode Island found a beautiful way to help a young boy through his grief.
Most of us have that one person whom we miss dearly. But God sees our grieving hearts, and He places the right person or even a pet to bring back the joy we thought was lost forever.
In this good news story, God put an ‘angel’ bus driver in a little boy’s path to keep him smiling every day.
A Sweet Daily Tradition Begins
Anne Marie Torregrossa has driven school buses in Cranston, Rhode Island for 46 years. She drives routes all over the city. One of her stops is Oak Lawn Elementary School, where she picks up Jack Monterecy, now a second grader.
Jack started riding Torregrossa’s bus three years ago. He was a shy child, but he loved anything with wheels. His mom Caroline said riding the bus excited him. During one of his first rides, Jack noticed something special. The bus drove right past his papa’s road.
Papa’s 33 Steps Every Day
From that day on, Peter Magnan walked to the end of his road every single morning. He waved to Jack as the bus went by. “My dad, from then on, rain or shine, would go to the end of his road every morning and wave to Jack,” Caroline said.
The kids on the bus counted Peter’s steps together. It took him 33 steps to reach the other side of the street. He stood near a telephone pole and waved. “Bye buddy, I love you, have a good day,” he called out. Every child on the bus looked forward to seeing Papa. On special days, he held signs to make Jack smile.
A Birthday Song and a Final Goodbye
When Peter turned 75, all the kids sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to him over the loudspeaker. “He told us after like everybody should experience that for their birthday,” Caroline said. It was his last birthday.
Peter got sick suddenly. He died just days before the new school year started. The family held his funeral the day before the first day of school. Caroline called it their nightmare. Jack and his papa were so close.
When a Bus Driver Became Family
Torregrossa came to the wake. She talked to Jack and told him she would make him her special helper. She asked the family if she could put Papa’s picture by her visor on the bus. “I asked Jack and the family if I could put a picture of Papa with us on the bus, so Papa is always with us every day and he’s looking over us,” she said.
When Jack came back to school, Torregrossa gave him a name tag. She made him her special helper. During holidays, she places wreaths near the telephone pole where Papa used to stand.
“She stepped in and filled a gap and I don’t think we ever expected a bus driver to play that role,” said Jonathan, Jack’s dad. “When you expect the bus to come to pick up your child, you’re not expecting a support system.”
‘Angel’ Bus Driver
Jack said Torregrossa has helped him feel better. “It was a hard time so she was trying to make my life a little better without Papa,” he said.
Jack now visits Torregrossa during school breaks. All his toy buses have the number 12 on them, the same as her bus. He wrote a report about wanting to become a bus driver when he grows up. “I feel like I can be the best bus driver like Anne,” Jack said.
Torregrossa never expected such an impact. “It was so special to think that a 5, 6 year-old would think that way, that they admire you so much for everything you do,” she said. “I try to make a difference in a child’s life and if I did that then I know I did my job.”
Caroline calls Torregrossa an angel. “She’s an amazing person. The fact that my kids get to spend time with her, and I trust her with them, and they look forward to spending time with her, it’s a blessing.”
Grieve for Others
This story reminds us that we can be God’s hands and feet to those who are hurting. A simple gesture of love can make a huge difference in someone’s life. Let us pray for a heart that grieves with those who grieve and reflects the love of Christ.
WATCH: Bus Driver Comforts Grieving Boy With Touching Daily Tradition
