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Cade and Dianna Sherman’s young two year old,
Luke, was the first to notice the giant, green garbage
truck that made regular stops at their Pearl neighborhood
address. Then Donald, the regular garbage guy at the
back of the truck, noticed Luke and returned friendly
waves. By the time Luke turned three he was a regular
fan of his collector friends–Gerald, the alternate driver,
and Donald, who was always at the back of the truck
doing the lifting and dumping. There were always
waves, horn honks and brief conversations. Dianna
made pictures the day Donald gave Luke a dollar bill
for his birthday.
It was a sad day for the entire family when they sold
their Pearl home to move to a farm near Pisgah. Not
only did they hate to say goodbye to their neighbors,
but Luke and younger sister, Brooklyn, would be
saying goodbye to their collector friends.
On their last day before moving, it was a tearful
farewell for Luke, Brooklyn, and Dianna, when they
waited for their last garbage pickup. Donald reached
for a bag in the truck and handed it to Luke. It was a
giant “goody” bag of toys, coloring books, two waste
management caps and neon vests and Luke’s very own
replica of the big, green truck.
The move to the farm was bittersweet for the
children, because leaving friends behind is never easy.
Dianna tried to lift Luke’s spirits, assuring him that he
would have new friends at their next home.
On the first Saturday after moving into their rural
home, they were pulling out of the driveway to ride
into town for a breakfast treat. Dianna spotted a giant
garbage truck coming toward their home and said,
“Wait, let’s meet our new friends!”
As the green machine slowed down, they couldn’t
believe what they were seeing! It was Donald
springing off the back of the truck and Gerald in the
driver’s seat. Dianna described it as a God-thing. The
probability of having a route at their new home with
the same employees was unbelievable for all of them.
Gerald describes himself as a “people person” and tries
to be friendly with all the customers. “We’re always
waving at the little kids – they love the big truck.”
Donald was all smiles when he stopped to greet us!
A Waste Management employee for six years, Donald
described his associates as, “one big family.” “I enjoy
my work, especially when I get to meet great families
like the Shermans.” Fist bumps were passed, the garbage
container emptied and after some quick photos, the
special friends were on their way.
Our garbage collectors render a service we
underestimate and probably do take for granted. Let
this story be a reminder to extend them a hand wave
and an occasional snack would be even friendlier.
And thanks to big-hearted employees like Donald
and Gerald who not only pick up but leave behind
friendships and impressions that
could go a long way in
helping to “sanitize”
our culture. l
56 • DECEMBER 2020