HEERA ALAYA

January 1st, 2021

“You need to obey the law.
If I put up my hand, you must stop.
My job is important; I keep people safe.”

LINDA

Crossing guard, USA

Heera Alaya: [We hug] Good morning, Linda.

Linda: Good morning. Good morning.

Thank you for accommodating me in your schedule.

I haven’t done this [spoken about her job] before. I am happy to answer your questions.

You are going to rock, Linda. Let’s do it.

What is your position called?

A crossing guard.

What is the role of a crossing guard?

My job is to keep pedestrians, children, their parents, and cars safe. If my children walk across the street, I put out my stop sign and hold back the vehicles.

And your post is next to school areas?

Yes.

For how long have you been a crossing guard?

I have been at this job for over five and a half years.

What made you take up this job?

I was getting bored at home. So I went through a senior program, and the counsellor asked: “How would you like to be a crossing guard?” I didn’t know too much about the job. The counsellor assured me I would be good at it, and she was right—I am good and happy. I am grateful.

What time do you have to report to your post?

My duty is between 7:00 am to 9:00 am and then from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

And what time do you wake up to make it in time for work?

5:00 am.

Do you drink or eat anything before leaving home?

I have a smoothie and a cup of green tea before arriving in the morning.

Are you off duty when school closes for the summer?

Yes. But I do special events; there is always extra work.

Which season is the toughest for you as a crossing guard?

Oh, mercy! Summer and winter. In the summer, we dress lightly, but it’s extremely hot. I bought a portable battery-run fan—to place it on my face—to cool down. I also drink a lot of cold water. And in the winter, I wear hand warmers, shoe warmers and snowshoes. If the snowfall gets too heavy, we can go indoors for 10 to 20 minutes—to warm up. But I have to be at my post by the time the children arrive, between 7:15 am and 8:00 am.

How do you tackle rain?

We have rain gear.

What do you like the most about your job?

My children and their parents are the most exciting part of my job.

Linda, I noticed that many people greet you. What about your nature makes people want to stop and say hello?

I have a good spirit. You must have a good spirit for people to want to talk to you. Someone came up, hugged me, and was back in the line to hug me again. When I get up in the morning to get here, I am happy.

What would you like people to know about your job?

I want people to know that we are here to protect you, and we want to be respected, whether you are driving a car or walking. For instance, a car came down the street, and I put my hand out for the driver to stop, but the driver kept driving, and she swiped me from the back; I felt the wind. Also, you need to obey the law. If I put up my hand, you must stop. I want people to realise that my job is important; I keep people safe.

For how many years will you be doing this job?

Until I am 75 years old. [Laughs]

And why not [keep working]; it keeps you feeling healthy.

Yeah. We have folks who are 70 years old, still working, and happier.

What does staying active do for you?

It [staying active] keeps me young and my body and legs moving. I have friends who have retired and are at home now, and they are stiff and complaining; they have no life.

The best part of my job is that I can stand here at the post and never have to catch an aeroplane.

What do you mean?

I meet people from all parts of the world. I have friends from Poland and Germany; I know a lot of Russians and Chinese, and I know a guy from Norway. This Norwegian guy used to pass me every day, and one day, he told me he was getting ready to go back to Norway, “I am going to miss you,” and I miss him too. I meet many people in this job, making me feel like an international traveller.

I love your outlook. Do you fondly remember anyone specific?

I do. I was standing in my corner when two little boys and their dad (he is a teacher) walked up to me with a basket of flowers; one of the boys was carrying a card. The boys gave me the flowers and the card and said, “We appreciate you. We thank you.” I was almost in tears.

This gesture speaks directly to who you are as well as the parent.

Thank you. The parents are very nice, and when the parents are nice, it shows in their children. We have ups and downs, but there is more good in the world. Where one person doesn’t speak to me, ten others speak to me, hug me, and bring me coffee, too.

How do you like to spend your time after school day?

I enjoy sitting at home with my cat and having a hot cup of tea and fish (that’s what I will have for dinner tonight). On Sunday, I visit my children and spend time with my grandchildren.

And how is Mr Cloud [her cat] doing?

You remember his name!

Of course, I do. How old is Mr Cloud now?

He is four years old.

Mr Cloud is a young fellow.

Linda, what are your thoughts on diversity?

Don’t start me crying. We are all human beings and want to be loved and respected. We do what everyone else does; we have thoughts, feelings, and opinions. Colour, race, these things don’t mean anything. What is in your heart counts and how you treat others.

One last question—how did you get the name Linda Love?

When a father asked his five-year-old daughter my name, she replied: “Linda Love.”

Thank you, Linda Love.

You are welcome. This talk is interesting.