Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Stop and Hug


--by klw4, posted Aug 16, 2014
My nine year old daughter has walked to school almost every day of her school life and each morning the same crossing guard, Ms. Leslie is there to help us safely cross the street.

She and my daughter have a special ritual of hugging. My daughter runs to her, they hug, lock eyes and Ms. Leslie twirls her around once with the "stop" sign in one hand.

Once, a neighbor driving her 3 children to school told me they feel lucky when they get the chance to witness this. Any fighting in the car that is going on, stops and they all share the joy between these two.

This morning after watching them and having crossed the street to the other side, I said "That looked like so much fun can I have a hug too?"

Ms. Leslie smiled and we embraced a full 5 seconds.

I could feel our skin touching neck to neck and sense her heart beat. We didn't lock eyes but we did allow our humanness to connect.

I got a little teary eyed when she looked at me and said, "Thank you so much. It gets hard out here some days, when drivers can be so rude."

As we walked away, my daughter wrapped an arm around me, connected with my eyes and just smiled, full of love, as if to say "Mom, now you know."

And I knew then with my heart the power of a little hug. I've been basking in the warmth of that hug through an hour of thick morning traffic that I was able to experience with no inner struggle.

Thank you Ms. Leslie and my little one. I encourage you to notice an opportunity to share a little heart hugging energy today.
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Readers Comments

molliecat wrote: I walked children to and from school for many years and our crossing guards name was francine, beautful woman. She struggled financially and was often taunted when kids would point her out as the beggar. She was often seen in early hrs before collecting bottles from the neighbourhoods roadside trash. It hurt me to see someone who was so kind and so loving to children be ridiculed because she was trying to survive. , i would very often bring her our left overs from lunch so she would at least have one meal. It was christmas one year and i asked her , i would like to get you a little something from the daycare kids , i thought i could go get you a trukey and trimmings , then i said or i could write you out a cheque and you can do as you please with it. She started crying and im a sook, she said debbie, i would really like to have money instead. Im glad i asked. It was our tradition from that day on that we carried out this exchange of giving , caring , loving. I miss her , i mght go there someday soon and get her to take me across that street again.
seesee wrote: I fell out with my best friend and now after reading this, i will find a way to be a better friend to him and
Start our hugging sessions again, i really miss that.
Patti wrote: Such a lovely story… and so well written. Thank you for sharing.
ConnieO wrote: :) so sweet. We all need a ms. Leslie. On every corner. <3
Catherine wrote: So beautiful! Crossing guards are important community members and it is wonderful to connect in this way.
Sandra wrote: That was not just a random act of kindness - what was experienced was an act of love; blessing for all three of you
Pat wrote: What a lovely scene to witness every morning and the warm feeling it leaves you with.
marcella teran wrote: The simple act of hugging, and connection, heals my sou!
sandyremillard wrote: Let's be huggers!
Mish wrote: This is beautiful... teary-eyed me. Hugs for this!!

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