Ted the Recycling Guy

Ted the Recycling Guy makes two passes through our complex of 440 condos set in the woods.  He comes through about the time I go for a walk in the morning, and he never fails to wave and honk the horn or to stop and chat.

After Easter, he began leaving me the discarded flowers he’d find in the recycling bins.  He’s leave the pots in their pastel plastic wrappers on the side of the road for me.  He wanted me to take them home and plant them.  I did.  Of course, I didn’t know this until he stopped the big ol’ truck and told me so.

One day, he stopped with a live plant and told me he had been taking care of it until he could give it to me in person.  Our paths had not crossed for a couple of Recycling Days. 

He’s a delightful person.  He keeps Milk Bones for the dogs he meets.  He stops to tell jokes.  He’s always smiling.  Everything has a use, a place, a value in Ted’s world.

He’s an inspiration.