Last Saturday, February 27, turned out to be a real shot in the arm for Miltonites. The brightly shining sun elevated the temps into the 40’s, causing snow piles to shrink and melt water to run actively in the gutters. Many ventured outside to enjoy this welcome respite from the deep freeze. With errands to complete, I chose to enjoy the fine day and walk rather than drive. Other walkers, runners, and even a cyclist or two had the same idea. I realized quickly that I was dressed far too warmly as I was working up a good sweat.
While it was super to see the tall snow piles shrinking, it wasn’t so great to see all the detritus left behind. Cans, bottles, wrappers, you name it, littered the sidewalks and curbs where the melting snow left this “stuff” exposed. Not very attractive and, certainly, a less-than-positive image for people checking out our city. One could ask, “Where does this junk come from?”. Some would answer that the snowplows and shoveling create this eyesore, but I think we all know that human negligence and non-caring are the true culprits.
I detest litter so I nearly always carry plastic grocery bags (these things breed in my storage area) when out walking so I have something to put the stuff in as I pick it up. I am not reporting this to blow my own horn. Picking up litter makes me feel good, so it is really a very selfish thing for me to do.
I do find people’s reactions to me picking up litter interesting to say the least. On odd occasions, I have been thanked. I have been looked at as if I’m a bit off (probably true). Some have remarked that I was on to something that they had never considered and, maybe, they would carry a bag or two with them when they walked. I hope they do. A very common comment goes something like this, “Why would you do that? Don’t we have ‘people’ for that?” My usual response to this is, “This is my sidewalk, my city, and this is something I can do to make it better.”
So, last Saturday, I am walking on Madison Ave. thoroughly enjoying the fine weather. I had accumulated a very full bag and was starting on my second. I had stepped into the curb area to pick up some bottles at the edge of the street when I saw a biker heading toward me on the sidewalk. He looked to be junior high age. As he rode past me, he called out, “Thank you, sir, for doing that.” I about fell over. While I will not cast middle school students as impolite, I would also find it a rarity that one would initiate a compliment to an adult (aging baby boomer to boot) they were passing in the street. Hope does spring eternal and I was heartened. For a moment, all was right with the world. Just after he went by, we simultaneously recognized each other. I called out,” Hey, Troy, is that you?” while he said something like, "Hey, are you Gus' grandpa?” We wished each other well and then went on, he to the east and me to the west.
Readers of this blog may recognize the name, Troy, as he has appeared in Cruz’ n’ for Kindness before. He’s a 7th grade Rising Red Hawk who clearly knows how to go beyond himself and reach out to others. I have to say, that in less than 30 seconds, he made my day. It was spontaneous, it appeared effortless, it was genuine. Oh, what we all could learn from this lad. Thank you, Troy, and, once again, a nod to your parents, Jeff & Rhonda Ann. Opportunity, Achievement, & Community are clearly within reach for all of us.
#WEAREMILTON
#cruzan4milton
