A Tale of Two Childs

So a local Television Channel honors people in the community with a "High 5." They look for people who make small differences every day.

Every school day there is an Elementary School crossing guard who waves at EVERY car. This is not your typical half smile and a wave that could be mistaken for another strange sort of arm movement... This is a grin the size of Texas, and a wave that makes you feel like you found a long-lost friend after 20 years. I happened upon him one day while avoiding traffic, and I drive that way to work every day now. His huge smile and hearty wave seem to lift my spirits every morning, and bring a smile to my face.

I sent in a nomination to the local television station on Monday of last week- Tuesday I received a phone call from the station, they said they were touched by my nomination because I did not know the man. They asked me to meet them Wednesday to give my nominee a high 5. It aired on Friday the 22nd. Below is the article from the website. I am grateful that I could thank the person that lifts my spirits each day.

April 22nd, 2011 @ 7:43am

By Brooke Walker

ROY -- A crossing guard in Roy is making a big difference in people's lives by simply sharing a wave and a smile.

Dick Dickinson is a familiar face on the corner of 2000 West and 6000 South. His arm gets a workout from waving at people driving by. Dick has smiled and waved at his post every morning for the past five years.

Dick Dickinson waves to cars passing by the corner of 2000 West and 6000 South in Roy.

Rain, shine, or snow, his infectious grin is always there. Rachel Child nominated him for a KSL High 5.

"Some people kind of give you a half smile and a half wave. But his, it's like he hasn't seen me in years and he's so excited to see me, like I just made his day," she said.

Rachel didn't always pass Dick on her way to work. Traffic one day forced her to take a detour.

"So I came up this road. He waved at me and he lifted my spirits. So now I drive past him every day, and I'm so sad when the kids aren't in school because he's not here," she explained.

Dick said, "When you can get somebody to come by and smile at you it just changes your whole attitude."

Dick smiles and waves at every car, even when his greeting is not returned. He says he's happy to help the kids and make everyone happy.

"He's always here on time and has a fun time with all the people," said his supervisor, Ed Greiner. "That's what we like, crossing guards that have fun."

Dick received a gift basket of goodies from our High 5 sponsors, Les Schwab.