Crossing With Safety

Cruz’ n' for Kindness

April 28, 2018

We have so much of which to be proud in Milton. Sometimes, when I am in that pondering mode, I am moved to tears as I consider the positive influence this community has had on my life. If you stop to think about it, you probably do as well. Many contributors to this feeling go unnoticed as they are simply part of daily life and blend into the background without conscious consideration from me. However, with deeper reflection, I realize that they are the very fabric of Milton. They are pieces that create the synergy (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts) of this Milton that I call home.

Much of this is rooted in basic kindness. There is a group of individuals who demonstrate this every school day. Some of you have probably noticed but now all can watch for it.

Our school crossing guards are special people. Their specific duty is to stop traffic and ensure that our kids can safely cross the street. If you watch you will see Milton’s crossing guards doing so much more than this. They become very familiar with our kids. They watch out for them. They look them in the eye and greet them. They provide that fist bump or reassuring arm around the shoulder that eases the anxiety from the start of the school day. How reassuring and how Milton!

They are another layer of protection for our kids. They know them and they can tell if something is amiss so that a special word or gesture can be added. They know our traffic patterns – the flow of the city, more sets of eyes equals more protection all of us. Not only that, they wave to every car that goes by. I hope that you are waving back. I know that I do. I even try to wave before they do.

If we read their job description I doubt we would find the words: be kind, greet kids and get to know them, reassure them, get down on their level to make a connection, wave to passing motorists. I am nearly positive we would not find any of this in an official document. But this group of special Milton servants has chosen to make it their job. But it is more than that. They have chosen to make it their calling. What a fine calling it is.

Thank you crossing guards for making a conscious decision to add kindness and caring to our days. What a blessing and significant contribution to our quality of life. You are Milton. We are Milton. #WAM

Jon Cruzan is a community catalyst. He tries to catch people being kind to one another. When he does, he lets them know about it. It makes them feel good, it makes him feel good and colors the world in a positive way. When Cruzan is not on his bicycle or picking up his grandsons from school or networking with community members, you might see him picking up litter or working to make Milton better in other ways. Cruzan can be reached at jcruzan@charter.net.