crossing guards

A few days ago, one of the crossing guards on my route leaned backward as I approached and took an animated glance over his shoulder at the electronic timer counting down the seconds pedestrians (or bikers) had to dodge across the intersection before the traffic signals changed. He then straightened, turned to me, and as I shot by on the crosswalk did a strikingly good impression of The Waterboy's Rob Schneider: "YOU CAN DO IT!!!!"

The same crossing guard as frequently hollers a good morning my way, or sticks out his foot as though to trip me.

We're friends.

And he's a wonderful change from most other crossing guards, who stare grumpily straight ahead for more school children to assert their authority over in response to my perceived wanton disregard for their help.