My friend Diana Gomez shared a photo with me taken during her surprise visit during her dear dad, Louie Gomez' last day working as a crossing guard for the City of Santa Rosa, this week.
"When he and my mom retired almost 24 years ago, they moved to Santa Rosa and my dad wanted a little part time job to keep busy. You see, he had worked almost all his entire life," she shared.
"As a first generation Californian, his family had five kids and lived in a one room house by the railroad tracks. Really! As the oldest son, he needed to do more than just help the family in the fields during the summer. So, starting at 10 or 11 years old, he got his shoeshine box and hitched rides from Bradley to Camp Roberts (near Paso Robles) to shine the soldiers shoes. He has never stopped working since. He raised three kids and put me through college and law school," said the Petaluma mother-of-two, who is also Sonoma County's Assistant District Attorney. Chief Deputy Gomez oversees criminal trial departments. She joined the Sonoma County District Attorney's Office in 2003 having served in the Vallejo City Attorney's Office and the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
"My 79 year old dad has decided it is time to give up working for good - well, working for pay, because he works around my parents house a few hours every day."
Louie Gomez leaves the City of Santa Rosa with no fanfare, no pension, and no acknowledgement, other than the fact that during the 22 years he has walked kids across the street at the intersection of Stony Point and the HWY 12 on-ramps, he kept thousands of kids safe. "Not a one was hit by a car," said his proud daughter.
As a special thank you, Gomez rallied friends and families to surprise her dad on his last day on the job. "Thank you for your service, your loyalty and your hard work. You truly are a part of the greatest generation," said Gomez.
I know that I would be backed by many who would agree that we also have to thank Louie Gomez for being the role model for such an outstanding daughter.
For Louie and all of the unsung heros out there at the end of this school year - you have made the world a better, safer place for our young people and though there's not often nearly the fanfare you deserve, we applaud you.
Frances, I loved this story, my favorite that you have ever written and that I have read. I look over at my ten-year old son watching a movie and know that he will never know just how lucky he is. Then again, maybe he's not so lucky. Maybe Louie is the lucky one. Thank you Frances and thank you Louie for being an inspiration to all of us.
Posted by: Tracy | Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 10:40 PM
It took me a little time to recall...and then to find...the book I was seeking. "Moyers on America" by Bill Moyers. Specifically page 96. I will quote from part of it as I believe it fits the spirit of this article: "If you look closely at the fabric of civilization which overlays the passions of this race, you will discover it held together with tiny rows of thread stitched by the hands of anonymous folk. No community makes it without them; no school, no church, no neighborhood or society....Anonymous? Yes. Except to those who know them."
Posted by: Frank Simpson | Monday, May 28, 2012 at 04:12 PM
That's beautiful, Frank, good memory!
Posted by: Frances | Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 08:21 AM
I have said for many years that being a crossing guard -- and a preacher's wife -- are two of the most difficult jobs I can imagine. Thank you to all crossing guards for assuming so much responsibility!
Posted by: Mary Dene Etter | Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 08:33 PM
Thank you Frances. This was a beautoful article..
Posted by: Diana Gomez | Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 10:06 AM