Many of you who live in this area and attend the same elementary school as my children probably recognize this man. His name is Richard. And the only reason I know that is because I stopped him the other day and asked him if I could get his picture.
The reason I wanted his picture is because of that smile that you see spread across his face. Every morning and afternoon as I pass him taking my kids to and from school, this man smiles and waves. I thought he was just being friendly to me because, well, I waved back. And because I am an awesome person. But the more I paid attention the more I realized that his smiles and waves weren't just for me. He was smiling and waving at every single car that passed by him. I also noticed that almost every single car that passed him was waving back with full smiles on their faces. The guy was just plain friendly and everyone noticed. I even caught my children making comments about how they really liked him. And they had never even talked to him, they just liked how friendly he was.
Because I have made hundreds of trips to and from the school I began to observe other crossing guards. None of the other crossing guards smiled so freely. In fact, one of them I think it is her mission to scowl. And so I made it my mission to smile and wave at her very excitedly each time I passed her. She tried to avoid looking at me, but I stared at her until she HAD to look my way and then I smiled and waved and she did the same in return, sometimes. After about two months of this little game I played with her, she started smiling and waving at me unsolicited. She still ignored all the rest of the cars. It was fun to try to spread some joy and to play my little experiment and game at her expense.
My kids are now riding the bus so I am not passing the crossing guards as often. But I still think about them and about how smiles and happiness can be so contagious. Who knows if Richard is having a bad day? I imagine he has them because none of us are without trials. But from his smiles and waves you would never know. I'm sure even when he is having a rough day, he brightens many others through his simple gestures as he stands on the corner helping the children along their way to school safely.
3 comments:
I don't normally pass him when I go to school, but I still know who you're talking about! I've noticed him from the beginning of halli's kindergarten, and he is one happy guy! I'm glad you found out his name, it's nice to know who he is.
Take him a little note or treat and tell him what a difference he has made. It will make his day!
I wonder how he he does it and if he can write a book. I want to be that kind of person.
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