My moring drive

For years I was on a too-early nursing shift, being already on the job before the sun came up.
Saw some nice sunrises out the hospital window, but after too many years of this, I transferred to a nursing job that started at 8:30am.

In my pre-nursing years of office work, one thing I disliked was getting behind a school bus, 15 mile an hour school zones, and worse yet, being in front of a school where you had to wait for an entire bus to disembark.

When I first came back to the world of the post dawn work force, my experience with school buses was enjoyed. It was great to start later. Sharing the world with darling little school children off to start their day, I connected with that anticipation and innocence. I'd see a girl and think- She has the whole big world ahead of here. Then I would think, Hey, so do I!

Nevertheless, that 15 mile an hour school zone sometimes caught me by surprise. Always leaving a bit later than I should, one day, lost in thought drove into one of my usual school zones a bit faster- maybe 25 instead of 15 miles per hour. To my surprise the school crossing guard jumped off the curb into the side of the street, and with a snarling face, shook her fist at me!
She looked like an old Rosie the plumber, but not as pleasant and quite formidable.
Yikes! slowing down I wondered how was I going to pass that old battle ax every day after she punished my infraction?

Since traveling another route did not seem like a good option, I kept to the same route, ever aware of a possible severe reprimand if I did not watch out. Every day was an opportunity to think a judgmental thought. Thoughts how my work was too hard, and with not enough sleep and too much overtime- no wonder it was hard to stay to that 15 mile an hour posting.
There weren't even any children nearby the day she jumped out at me. It was easy to excuse myself and blame the crossing guard.

Then it happened. One day on the way to work my heart melted. There was the
woman of my fears taking pictures of the little ones on their first day of school.

How they were beaming. How thoughtful of her to do this! How long would they keep the photos? I want to add that many of the children came from a city housing project, and did not have beaming parents to send them off. She knew that and was their protector and took pride in them.

From that point on, the crossing guard became my ally instead of my adversary. Maybe she still thought- here comes the lady who is a jerk and drove too fast on my beat. Regardless - I decided to give her a friendly wave when I passed by. Eventually, she waved back.

That is when I started to bless her and her corner and all the children, and what the heck the whole darn school every day when I passed it. When I did I felt a sense of grace flow into me.
Maybe it was a reward for changing my attitude from judgment to empathy, but for sure it keeps me healthy and better able to take care of my patients every day.

One day school was out for the summer. I missed seeing the children and guards and blessed them anyway. Maybe I was sending that prayer back in time and space to the moment this occurred. Maybe the extra positive charge on the corner could set up a lucky rabbit's foot like blessing all year.

Now remember, this crossing guard was not young. Eventually she must have retired, because there have been two school crossing guards since her. I bless them too. ....and my friend Rosie the plumber where ever she is. I'd like to thank her someday. Maybe I already have.