Jamie Reidy shares the heartwarming story of a New Jersey crossing guard’s huge impact on his small corner of the world.

I had never heard of Bob Moten until I read about his passing on my friend’s Facebook page, which took me to this blog by Julie Walton Shaver.

But Bob was more than just a crossing guard. So many times I would be driving down Main Street on my way to work or to run errands. Many times I’d be tired or in a crabby mood or simply too busy to give much thought as to how my presence affected other people. But as I’d be driving by, Bob would always shoot me a gigantic smile, raising his hand way up high in the air and even if my windows were closed, he would shout at the top of his lungs, “JULIEEEE! HAVE A GREAT DAAAAAAAY!”

So it never mattered what kind of mood I was in when I approached that intersection. When I left it, I was always smiling. Always.

That’s a powerful statement about the power of a smile. If Bob had the power to change my day, then that meant I had the power to change someone else’s day. All I had to do was smile an electric smile, just like Bob’s. And I have no doubt that there are countless stories from people within the Metuchen community of how Bob changed their day too.

It’s not surprising to realize Bob kept fighting against his cancer so he could see the school year through to its conclusion. Hopefully, someone else steps up to provide daily smiles for the people of Metuchen, NJ.

GMP readers, do you have a man like Bob Moten in your community?

PHOTO BY: http://www.juliewaltonshaver.com/