Maintaining a positive mindset: A school crossing guard keeps her spirits up

December 2nd, 2020 Gu Zhenzhen Living comments

In October, I lost my job working at the airport due to COVID-19. But I believe that when one door closes, another opens. Just six days after I was laid off, I joined 700 plus school crossing guards in the city of Toronto.

In my previous job at the airport my shift ended at midnight. Now, as a school crossing guard, I start my day at 7:30 a.m. I have been transformed from a night owl into an early bird. I am not complaining. I like mornings because it is a new beginning. A "Good morning!" greeting continues to cheer me up. I watch the sunrise instead of sunset these days and hear the morning birds chirping in the trees.

At the airport, we met celebrities in person, including players of the Toronto Raptors, Maple Leaf and Blue Jays. But as a crossing guard, I only encounter ordinary folks in my neighborhood, people who go about their daily routines: walking their dogs, buying morning coffee, having their morning jog, going to work and bringing their kids to school. I don't mind.

Now, every morning I greet the children on their way to school. I say "Have a nice day!" "Happy learning!" "Grow every day!". I give them advice in case they are running late: "Next time get up early".

Given that winter is here, I tell the kids, "You need mittens" or "You need boots". I have seen them wear all kinds of costumes for their Halloween party and carry small pumpkins, as cute as them. I have heard "Thank you" a lot. Just these two simplest words, or a smile, a wave, a friendly chat, even a nod can bring a tiny bit of happiness during this challenging time.

I can't change the fact that it is getting cold. But what I can do is dress for the weather. I wear five layers of clothes, a hat, a scarf, gloves and a winter jacket. If it rains, I bring my turquoise umbrella (the color of the Caribbean Sea). If it snows, I wear boots. Yes, my job is an outdoor one, but it allows me to breathe in the fresh air, bathe in the sun or sing in the rain! It was raining on my first day on the job, but that didn't dampen my spirits.

During the rush hour, I stay on high alert at a crosswalk in front of an elementary school. I keep watching all directions for two-legged or four-legged creatures and four wheelers…I wish I had an extra pair of eyes at the back of my head. I know that flashing lights or stop signs don't necessarily stop moving traffic. Some drivers are speeding as if their houses were on fire or they were on a racetrack! So, before I step on the road, I make eye contact with drivers, especially impatient ones, and make sure that all vehicles have come to a stop. I definitely don't want any pedestrians to end up like roadkill! I want everyone to return home alive and in one piece.

I take my job seriously. And I am proud to carry out the City of Toronto's Vision Zero Road Safety plan during this difficult time.

My advice to anyone who is facing challenges during this time is to stay positive. My mother is an optimist who sees the glass half full – apparently I got my mother's genes…always positive!

Gu Zhenzhen