By Ralphine Major

ralphine3@yahoo.com

She wasn’t really a school cop, but from a distance, she looked like one. Dressed in uniform, she wore a white starched shirt, pressed trousers, bill cap, and white gloves. Her look was finished off with makeup and earrings. For years, I saw her every morning standing on the corner of Washington Pike and Whittle Springs and waving as the cars slowly passed through the school zone. I would wave back. Year after year, I exchanged waves with the school crossing guard at Belle Morris School.

It wasn’t until many years later that I learned who she was. Her name was Grace. Grace Goforth. In conversation one day at church, Sandy Bolton mentioned that her mother was the school crossing guard near North Hills. The lady who had waved at me all those mornings was Grace. Later, I had the opportunity to finally meet the lady behind that friendly wave. Amazingly, Grace was a dedicated school crossing guard until she reached the age of 83! Sadly, Grace passed away several years ago.

With the beginning of a new school year, I think of Grace whenever I drive through the school zone. I can still “see” her standing there, tall and proud, on the corner where she helped to keep school children safe. I can still “see” her waving as I drive by. I almost wave back. Have a great year and be safe!

Words of Faith: Beloved Psalm 23 (KJV), Grace’s favorite Bible passage: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”