Surprising

We have a security guard here at the school who is a tiny, thin, elderly gent with a sweet smile and a face turned leathery by sun and difficulty. I actually sometimes wonder what would happen if someone were to attempt to do harm to our lovely little oasis of calm and learning here in the middle of the busy city, as this security guard is about as frightening as a chihuahua in a sweater, and he maybe tips the scales at 100 pounds. At any rate, he always smiles kindly, helps me with any heavy lifting, and tends to the greenery with tremendous diligence and care. I've actually grown quite attached to him, and have been known to leave him bottles of water for those days when he has to sit out in the hot sun.

As I was frantically walking from my classroom to the kitchen to fill up on more caffeine, I caught a glimpse of the guard crouched down in the driveway and focusing intently on something. For a brief second I worried that he may be having a heart attack or a stroke or suffering from a dizzy spell (I am ever the alarmist! And this guy is old!). As I looked more closely, however, I noticed that he was holding a stick and playing--yes, playing--with one of the large toads that inhabit our property. The toad would take some giant leaps, and the guard would go scrambling after it with all the energy and awkwardness of a toddler. He would then use the stick to get the toad to do flips over and over again, higher and higher each time, his wrinkled face beaming with an expression of glee. Every once in awhile the poor toad finally managed to hop out of his reach, at which point the guard would scramble after it again. Scramble, flip, repeat. I watched him for several minutes, and he was completely oblivious to everything around him except the toad.

When I emerged again from the kitchen after filling my coffee cup, I saw the guard bent over near the grass, scanning it, and looking slightly forlorn. It appears as though his playmate had grown tired of the game and made a beeline (er, toadline?) for the safety of the grass. And there was the security guard, standing in the freshly pressed gray shirt and navy pants of his security uniform, stick in hand, searching for his toad.

I kinda want to hug him right now.