Watching young people grow, mature and assimilate into society is the reward for the time and energy spent guiding them along the way. I’ve experienced it both as a parent and a Brighton school crossing guard.
Recently, I met Bella, one of my former high school ‘crossers’. She recognized me first while we both were waiting in line at a local coffee oasis. It took a brief moment to place her. That happens more nowadays, especially before the first dose of morning dark roast.
‘Meeting Bella’ could be a metaphor for the ‘crossers’ I occasionally meet in town or while walking the neighborhood. The encounters are generally brief, either because we’re not quite sure of each other, or time doesn’t allow us a moment for small talk.
If we do chat, it’s a quick ‘catch up’ on what they’re doing with their life. Depending on their age, some are in post graduate work, some are matriculating at local universities. Others are finishing high school while a few are holding down their first job.
One ‘crosser’ with whom I exchanged early morning pleasantries works at a local grocery store. He impresses me with his diligence, going about his tasks of arranging product throughout the store, stocking shelves, cleaning floors, becoming a dependable asset for the employer. I remind him of that while shopping in the store. A positive word can do wonders.
Another young man attends a US military academy where he’ll earn his stripes, learn to fly jets and hone new leadership skills. A young lady, whom I remember for her early morning perpetual smile, is beginning a course of study in forensics as a college freshman.
Youngsters who rode their bikes to school are now waving at me from behind the steering wheel of a car, sometime their own.
As for Bella, she’s not a kid, anymore. She’s a sophisticated young woman who exudes such confidence and self esteem, attributes that will serve her well in the classroom when she finishes her training to become a school teacher.
As for our own children, both are well into their careers and keeping their eyes on us as we did on them. Our roles are beginning to turn, naturally.
I like to think that our daily meetings at the sidewalk crossing spot, the ‘Curbside Classroom’, where we exchanged pleasantries, answered trivia, gazed up at the winter stars and squinted from the rising sun, was a positive experience for the youngsters. In the very least, if they were smiling by the time they reached the other side, then I considered it was ‘mission accomplished’, and I smiled, too.
I’m confident these young people will change the world for the better.
“Each generation goes further than the generation preceding it because it stands on the shoulders of that generation” (Ronald Reagan)
Steve (101023)
srbottch@gmail.com
S'amusing 