My love-hate relationship with the school bus

I am not at all in love with the kids riding the school bus.  Don't get me wrong, I am very grateful that they do ride the bus, because the alternative of me driving to and from school each day is NOT appealing.  This is particularly true now that the college students have returned (definitely a post for another day).  However, I'm not loving that we live where my kids can't just walk to and from school.  In fact, in my entire life, I've lived within a block of where I (or my kids) went to school (the exception to this would be high school, but of course by then everyone has friends that drive).  Our first pick up is Robert and Catherine at 6:40 (UGH!).  They only have to walk to the drive way across the street, and their bus driver is fabulous.  Love her!  Thomas is another story.  He has to walk to the opposite end of our block, and with the curve in the road I can't see him.  The bus currently has a 20 minute swing in when it may arrive to get him (hence the reason he missed it once last week), although I'm hoping by next week there is some consistency regarding the time (the neighbors' stories do not give me hope in this regard).  And then there is the fact that this driver is NOT a warm and fuzzy, or even pleasant, person.  As an introvert, I also do not love the fact that I am forced to share 20 minutes of my morning with strangers (could I be more self-centered?!) nor do I enjoy the fact that we don't have control of when to leave for school.  At the same time, I am grateful I don't have to drive them...so yes, I have a love-hate relationship with the school bus!