Gratitude Practice 2023 Nov 9: Crossing Guard

Perhaps a brief moment of recognition for the unsung heroes of our community known as Crossing Guards. Today, as part of my normal daily commute, I was struck with gratitude for these courageous public servants who skillfully ferried groups of wiggly distracted children through the perilous path of morning traffic. We live too far for my kid to walk to school so I drop her off every morning. And each morning I pass by three brave adults who work weird hours, battle the elements, command traffic like a symphony and ensure safe passage for our tiniest citizens. Armed with hand held stop signs and dawning vests of reflective tape these heros pay careful attention to the details that most of us drivers dismiss as we autopilot our way to work. Today, while resting at the red light of a busy intersection, I witnessed kindness. I noticed careful and critical awareness. From inside my car, I saw a warm respectful exchange and friendly salutation as a handful of kids carefully traveled across a busy city intersection and then entered the school grounds. I wonder what they said to each other…the kids to their Crossing Guard. While it was clearly brief and professional it seemed to be routine and familiar and meaningful and positive and I've thought about it all day. This tiny dose of kindness and safety and care absolutely made a difference. Both impressive and inspiring, really. There is no chance these good people net any amount of decent money to do this work and I've yet to see "National Crossing Guard Day" advertised anywhere yet there they are…day after day…every morning…helping to hold it all together in small but impactful ways. I'm not sure but I can assume this same faithful crew returns to their assigned posts near the end of the school day to ensure all those pesky kids can traverse those same busy streets only to repeat the simple process all over again the very next day. THESE people. THIS work. Thankless and unrecognized yet literally life saving. This is community inside a crosswalk and WOW…so much gratitude for these good people and the big service they provide.