Several times a week I make the short drive to my kids’ high school. To get there I pass an all-boys school. I often pass by when the boys are being dropped off or being picked up and because of the traffic congestion, they’ve hired a police officer to direct traffic.

I like him. He reminds me of my son’s former rugby coach and 4th grade teacher (and my daughter’s 5th grade teacher) — a gentle and kind man. I have no idea if this traffic cop is gentle or kind, but he seems to be good-natured. He’s always smiling and doesn’t jab his hands around all angry-like. Which always makes me remember another traffic cop — Vic Cianca from Pittsburgh.

Most of you are too young to remember the original Candid Camera, but I remember it well and the clip I remember most of all is the traffic directing Officer Cianca from Pittsburgh with the white gloves and “dancing hands”. I saw him, once, when I lived there — directing traffic for a trolley or Mr. Rogers festival or something like that. The last time I saw him was in Flashdance.

On days when I pass the school and there is another traffic cop, I feel let down. The past few times I’ve driven by the school the traffic cop has been a stout angry looking fellow who made me feel as if I should have found a different route to the high school. This morning, however, my buddy was back; all smiles and using happy hand gestures.

All is well.