So Long to Good Mornings

Bainbridge/Seattle ferry riders had to face up to the end of an era today, the era of the customary "Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning, ...".

Bill, affectionately known as the "Good Morning Guy", has decided to retire after 15 years with the ferry service.

For Rachelle and I, it was a great 2 year stretch of being greeted by the always positive and cheery "Good Morning!" when we arrived in Seattle to start our work day.

We looked forward to seeing Bill, both of us wondering how he would dish out his friendly blessings on "this" day. You see, Bill didn't just say "Good Morning" every day, he delivered it by sprinkling a "Good Morning" here, or casting a "Good Morning" there, and even at times zapping you with a "Good Morning". His hand gestures were just as important and meaningful to the experience as were the words themselves.

On the way home this evening, we were lucky enough to see Bill and shake his hand one last time as we boarded the boat home. He was at the Seattle terminal dressed all dapper in a nice grey suit, obviously off to some sort of retirement party. As the boat was about to depart, Bill came aboard to spontaneous applause which got him and the rest of us a little choked up.

It is the simple, sweet gestures such as his that make the day-to-day grind tolerable, and really make you appreciate how genuinely nice some people can be. Bill is the real deal, and we all hope the future brings many more "Good Mornings" to him. Thanks to Bill, we have had some great mornings, and I'm sure every regular or irregular Bainbridge ferry passenger will miss him as much as Rachelle and I will and already do.

Good luck, Bill!