I am sure you have a Ms. Cheryl in your neighborhood.

A community helper who goes above and beyond brings joy to your community.

Ms. Cheryl is a school crossing guard, and God made her for this job.

She is out there, rain or shine, guiding the kids to safety.

Cars try to zoom by, and she doesn't have any of it.

She's quick to put a speeder in their place to protect the kids and remind people to slow down.

More than the daily grind, Ms. Cheryl knows the kids by name.

I don't know how she does it, but she remembers all their names and where they live.

She knows where they are supposed to be going and calms anxious parents when their children are running a bit late.

Even in the Florida heat, she always has a smile on her face.

I see her, and I'm instantly happy.

Every child matters to her. She asks them how they are doing, how school is going, or how they did on their karate test.

I make sure to remember Ms. Cheryl throughout the year.
Our family will give her tokens of our appreciation to know we value her.

For my daughter's birthday this year, she surprised her with a card, a hair bow, and $10.

My girl exclaimed, "Mom, wow! I can't believe she remembered me! This bow! My favorite bow because it has art on it, and I love art! How did she know?"

"She listens," I said. Ms. Cheryl listens to you. She listens to what the kids tell her, and she remembers.

I told Ms. Cheryl, "You should not have. We need to give you gifts for all you do!"

She said, "You all do. And this is for her. She is always so cute and polite. I just love the kids. You know, these kids have had such a hard year. Such a hard time with everything going on, let me do this small thing for her."

Of course, I let her. Because no one says no to Ms. Cheryl, and she didn't even need my permission anyway.

This post originally appeared on the author's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shepensblog