5. THANK YOU, CHESTER

This song was written in honor of Chester Wawrzyniak (1903-1975), a Toledo Police Officer for more than 40 years. When I was a kindergartener, Chester was in charge of making sure that the children in our neighborhood safely crossed a very busy intersection which had no traffic lights.
The song is dedicated with deep appreciation to the Toledo Police Department. Linda K. (Miller) Williams
7-3-90
CHORUS
Thank you, Chester, for your smiles and hugs so warm;
with you to guide us, we felt so safe and protected from harm.
A traffic light now does your job more cost-efficiently, but it doesn't care
how a kindergartener's day has gone, and it sure can't swing kids up in the air!

1
Oh, I remember back in the sixties, when cop-hating was in style;
I never could relate to that attitude 'cause my mental image of a cop wears your smile.
I'm sure we never thought to thank you then---took you for granted;
you were there for us each day.
Now you're a treasured part of our childhood memories,
and I wish now we'd thought then to say... CHORUS

2
Though more than thirty years have come and gone
since you touched our lives in such a lasting way;
You did so much more than just your job,
so time has not swept our memory of you away.
I guess we never can know what impression
we'll leave with those whose lives our actions touch each day,
But I pray that as I make memories for others,
something warming and uplifting will stay.

3
Oh, I didn't know then you were a hero,
that you gladly risked your life to save a child,
But it didn't surprise me to hear it;
tender care and service were just your style.
Since we're too late to thank you in person,
we'd like to dedicate this song to all who serve,
Especially in the City of Toledo;
may our long-felt gratitude be heard.

CHORUS
Oh, thank you, Chester, for your smiles and hugs so warm;
with you to guide us, we felt so safe and protected from harm.
A traffic light now does your job more cost-efficiently, but it doesn't care
how a kindergartener's day has gone...
and it sure can't swing kids up in the air!

Words and Music © 1990 by Linda K. Williams

Linda.BetterWorld@gmail.com BetterWorld-Resources.com