Here is the blog post if you want to read it there.

Here is the post:

I got a compliment today; it was unexpected and it made my morning that much brighter.

I was standing in my normal place in the parking lot of my sons’ school, waving traffic forward with one arm and giving little friendly waves with the hand I wasn’t gesticulating wildly with. For those of you that know me you can imagine how often I tried to do both at once and got horrible confused. For those that don’t know me, imagine someone trying to pat their head, rub their stomach and ride a unicycle while on fire. It’s not that bad sometimes, but other times I’d get all tangled.

Anyway.

I was waving traffic ahead when a green minivan slowed down and dropped the driver-side window. A mother, two children in the back, leaned out with a smile and said:

“Thank you for helping out in the parking lot.”

It took me a second to realize what she had said and by that time she had moved a little forward but I managed a hasty thank you and another friendly wave (which was returned by the kids in the back of the van).

I know it’s a small thing and I know that I’m making a difference but it’s always nice to know that someone else is noticing the difference and even better when they say something about it. I don’t get to my sons’ school to direct traffic in the morning cold in order to be complimented, but it sure is nice a nice perk.

It's a pleasant change from being looked at as a disruption or bad influence. Honestly since I've been more involved in my children's lives I've noticed that the stigma of being a male around children has all but vanished once they got to know me.

I know, I know; it shouldn't be there in the first place but I'm only one guy and I can't change everything overnight. Baby steps and I'll get there.

Hell, I think I'm already there in certain places.