For the two years we have lived in Australia, the same retired woman has been the crossing guard outside our girls’ school. Janine is an important and special part of our school community. She greets students and families each morning and afternoon with warmth and joy, while doing the very important work of helping keep everyone safe as they cross the road.
A few months ago, Janine had a fall while working in the rain and was taken to hospital. She was gone for quite some time, and her absence was deeply felt. The children made cards for her, the school shared regular updates, and families continued asking how she was doing.
Then on Monday, the girls came home excited with news: “Janine is back!”
They were so excited to see that familiar face again and, most importantly, to know that she was okay. Nora quickly decided that we needed to make cookies for her, so this morning we delivered them with a note welcoming her back and thanking her for the care she gives our school community every day.
I often think about the people who give their time and energy to care for others. At our school, that includes Janine and the other crossing guards who show up each day to do something both ordinary and incredibly important: help keep children safe.
There is no shortage of things in the world that deserve our attention. There is hatred and division, injustice that needs confronting, institutions that need changing, and far too many people who do not experience the safety or equality they deserve. But when my mind settles only on what is wrong, I try to remember, in the same breath, the many people putting care, compassion and love into the world each day.
Sometimes that looks like advocating for change. Sometimes it looks like building new communities, nurturing faith, telling stories that help us understand who we are, or walking alongside someone through a difficult season. And sometimes it looks like standing beside a school crossing, rain or shine, helping children safely make their way home.
Today, we are grateful for Janine.
And perhaps this week we might each notice someone whose steady presence makes our own community safer, kinder or more connected, and take a moment to let them know.
Calee Loughran