As a proud resident of Hopkinton since 1980, I read with appreciation Patricia Finnerty’s recent letter, “A wonderful life in Hopkinton” (Monitor letters, Nov. 5).
I couldn’t agree more that Hopkinton is indeed a wonderful place to live. But it was Patricia’s reference to her husband, Fred, being a traffic cop in town that especially caught my attention.
My youngest daughter recently submitted a college application essay titled “Mornings at the Cracker Barrel.” The essay focused on several years in the aughts where a difference in drop-off times and schools between her and her sister led to a 35-minute gap we had to fill each morning. Our routine quickly became stopping at the Cracker Barrel for a warm muffin and a chat with Bonnie, who worked the front counter.
We would then sit on the bench in front of the store and watch Fred “The Traffic Guy” go about his duties. Once the school traffic died down, Fred would come over and visit with us, but mostly with my daughter.
She described Fred’s warm smile and demeanor and noted that he always acted as if seeing her was the highlight of his day. She also especially remembered Fred giving her a white stuffed bunny and Easter candy, not so much for the gift itself, but as confirmation that Fred really was her friend as she had thought.
The overall theme of her essay was how those few years at that intersection taught her what it’s like to be part of a community and the important roles townspeople play in making a town a “hometown.” She closed by wishing Fred could know how much he was admired and loved by her and many others and how much of an impact he had on her.
Hopefully this letter will help make that wish come true and also serve to remind all of us how much impact a warm smile, some idle chitchat or a kind gesture can have on our communities.
SCOTT METZGER
Hopkinton