Angel on the Corner

Rain or Shine, just like clock work, Monday thru Friday on the corner of Calle Noguera and San Roque Road "Olgita", our beloved crossing guard, is there to shepard the kids across the street to and from school.  She is no ordinary crossing guard; she is someone very very special.  She has a smile and a joyous wave for everyone! Walkers, bikers, drivers and passengers alike.

Olga is one of those rays of sunshine, she is our very own angel. Depending on the time of year, she will dress like a leprechaun, the Easter Bunny, a witch and decorates the corner for the season and puts a smile on everyones' face! This time of year she dresses up like Mrs Claus.
I am not alone when I say she made going to school for my girls one of their favorite childhood memories.  In 2006 she was named one of Santa Barbara's local heroes by the Santa Barbara Independent.

It's a long, long way from the dirt floor of her family home in a small town in Sinaloa, Mexico to Santa Barbara CA.  Olga Rodriquez was born into a poor family, one of nine children.  She was a third grade little girl when she abandoned her formal education to help the family survive.  As a young woman she left Mexico 37 years ago seeking a better life in the United States.  Like so many others, she scraped together enough money to pay a "coyote" to cross her into the states near the Tijuana and San Diego border.  Her first job was as a house keeper and she worked for the same family for 2 decades. She married, had two sons then lost her husband almost 20 years ago leaving her to raise her two sons alone. Martin and Pedro are grown men now.  Martin is a banker in West Hollywood and Pedro is employed locally and lives with his wife, Brittany, and young daughter, Mia.  Both of these fine young men speak with deep admiration for their mother;  I don't know if I have ever encountered two more loving and grateful sons.

Olga became a US citizen in 1986 and has worked as a crossing guard for the City of Santa Barbara for the past 13 years. I asked Olga what keeps her smiling and so upbeat, her answer did not surprise me knowing her for over 12 years. "I am a lucky person and I want to share my love with everyone...Making other people happy is the thing that makes me most happy".
There are so many wonderful things to know about Olga and many reasons why she is so special.  For me it's knowing their is a faithful and loving angel on the corner of my street making sure kids cross the street safely on their way to and from school.   She is like a member of my family, while I no longer require a babysitter when I did she was the one I entrusted to care for my young daughters.  They love her and she will always have a place in our hearts.  She is someone you should really take the time to know.  You will see kindness and optimism personified if you do.  She can also hook you up with a lady that makes fantastic tamales to enjoy over the holidays.  Stop and say hello and let her know how much we appreciate having her in our community.