MIGHTY WONDERFUL

I was waiting for a bus at Broad and Christian Streets in downtown Philly when a woman and her small granddaughter walked up to the transportation shelter, smiled, and asked if I was just at the garden party.

Yes, I was.

The garden party was an end-of-the-year celebration at Mighty Writers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children to think and write clearly. 

It was a delightful outdoor event, held at a community garden across the street from Mighty Writers at 15th and Christian. Kids proudly read their stories and poems, siblings had their faces painted, and parents and volunteers munched on hoagies and drank from a keg of root beer. The skies were cloudy, but no raindrops fell on the parade and a fine time was had by all in a little corner of the world.

While the Grandmom and I chatted at the bus stop, I learned that her granddaughter had only attended Mighty Writers for a few weeks, so she did not have a poem or story to share with the audience. But there were free children's books at the party and the little girl seemed thrilled to bring home two of them, shyly clutching on to them like treasures. 

After the bus arrived, we three boarded and I settled into a back seat so I could read my newspaper. As we headed north on Broad Street, however, I was distracted. What was that lovely sound? It was the Mighty Writers girl, a few rows up, proudly reading one of her books aloud to her Grandmom. 

As the bus wound around City Hall, headed toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art and meandered through North Philly, I continued to hear her read and read and read. It was bliss.

I think her words resonated so strongly because it was the first time I ever heard a child reading on public transportation.

I often see little kids riding on buses, but most often, the youngsters sit stoically while Mommy or Daddy chat on their phone, listen to their music or check their Facebook page. I can't recall seeing a child reading, let alone proudly reciting words out loud to an interested adult. 

When the Grandmom gathered their belongings as their stop approached, I asked her if the child would be returning to Mighty Writers.

"She's moving soon, so, unfortunately, no," the Grandmother replied.

That's too bad, I thought, but hoped her brief Mighty Writers tenure made an impression on her.

On that June night, she certainly left an impression on me. 

And wherever she goes, I hope that wonderful child continues to read, write, learn and inspire with all her might.