The crossing guard on the way to my son’s elementary school greets each and every child by name. It makes me cry. Every. Single. Morning.
Pure Religion
January 14, 2010 by
By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog
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By Common Consent, a Mormon Blog 
That is awesome. The crossing guard on the way to my daughter’s preschool knows us, though not by name, and we always have a quick conversation until the light turns green. (Actually, always had a quick conversation–until the Chicago weather warms up, we’re taking the bus. But my daughter always asks if we’ll see her friend [i.e., the crossing guard] as we approach her street.)
crap, now I’m crying.
We were driving to school the other day and the crossing guard who stopped us hugged and high-fived every child who passed. This irritated us because we were running late. We are, however, now recovering nicely from the lightning strike; thanks for asking.
That’s absolutely wonderful. I still have fond memories of my grade school crossing guard. I don’t think he knew my name, but he always, always engaged me in playful banter and conversation while we were waiting for a safe interval to cross. He spoke to me on my level and was a funny guy.
For awhile on my way to work I was running into a crossing guard who was trying to keep me from jaywalking … which is my God-given right as a New Yorker. It’s not like she had a gun or badge or could arrest me.
So one day the crossing guard indicated to me that I could move forward and then I realized I was basically stepping INTO onrushing traffic … which is a little bit vicious way to get back at someone who does not respect your crossing-guard powers.
It was kind of funny, in a sick way. But needless to say, I no longer trust crossing guards.
I’m always especially touched when I realize that someone else actually does care about my children – that I’m not totally all alone in this!
Now I feel guilty for not remembering the names of my students.
My daughters teacher in her school has the kids line up outside the classroom every day. Then she cups each child’s little face in her hands and says “buenos dias” and their name. They have to say it back. It was a little strange at first, but my daughter sure looked forward to that every day and misses her teacher terribly! It is not just a Costa Rica thing either because the other teachers don’t do it.
I am always amazed at the love that the support staff at schools show the students. I think that every single custodian, lunch room supervisor, and crossing guard at the schools I teach (as a substitute) knows the names of every student.
I feel lucky that I can remember the names of all the kids I have taught this year, which have only been the students in four classrooms.
Reminds me of an essay by Lowell Bennion in which, when asked to identify what it is that makes us Latter-Day Saints, students replied “don’t drink alcohol”; “don’t smoke”; “serve missions”; etc. Brother Bennion was thinking more along the lines of “serve the needy”; “treat each other with kindness”; “are merciful”; etc.
Kristine’s 25 word essay reminds me to, above all, both recognize and strive to exemplify pure acts of Christian love, one of which is, like Jesus, to bless the children.
Reminds me of the story of Leroy (http://fitforthekingdom.byu.edu/?page=watch&piece=leroy)from the Fit for the Kingdom short film series at BYU.