If you've driven N.C. 54 past Northwoods Elementary School in the last six years, you've probably seen the smiling face of James "Sonny" Alston.

As a crossing guard for the town of Cary, Alston serves as an unofficial greeter. Each weekday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and again from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., he sits on a folding chair under a shade tree waiting for school kids who need help at the crosswalk. He smiles and waves to motorists, earning enthusiastic honks and shouts in return.

On a recent sunny afternoon, Alston - wearing a black baseball cap emblazoned with "retired" and an orange "Traffic Control" vest - sat near his Harley-Davidson motorcycle and talked about why he loves his job.

Q: How did you end up as Cary's welcome committee?

A: In 2003, I had a hip replacement and had to go on disability from my job as a concrete finisher for the city of Raleigh.

When I was rehabilitated, I decided I needed something to do part time. I went to the unemployment office and found this job. I had a buddy who lived nearby, so I started coming to work an hour early to sit and talk with him before I started.

Q: Not all crossing guards get the kind of warm response you do. What's your secret?

A: One day, I just started waving, and people waved back. I was brought up in a small town [in Harnett County] where everybody waved and everybody smiled. Of course, my job is for the safety of the kids, but if I can make someone smile who's driving by, that's great.

Now, people stop and they might give me coffee and doughnuts or Christmas cards. Some people really go out of their way to wave back. I wish I could tell Oprah to spread the word - we could all make the world a better place by just waving and smiling.

One lady brought me a box of chocolates and a card, and said I had helped her through her mother's death and the mourning period because I kept smiling and waving at her. It meant a lot.

Q: Do you ever have a bad day?

A: Of course things aren't always perfect. But I never need to let people know that. I want other people to feel good. Just to get that smile, it makes my day.

Q: Have you ever seen some weird things as you sit here?

A: Yes - it's like a zoo. Sitting here one morning, a red fox ran across the street right in front of me. The children's path went right past where I had seen the fox, so I told the principal about it, and the kids went a different way from then on.

Q: This is a very busy road - do you ever get nervous stepping into the middle of it?

A: I have gotten scared lots of times. There is some crazy driving. One time, I had to jump back up on the sidewalk because I knew the person wasn't going to stop. Once, there was a truck that came through and didn't stop, and I could feel the heat from the radiator on my leg. It's dangerous.

Q: What do you do when you're not keeping kids safe?

A: [Chuckles] Well, I sing the blues at open mic night at the Upper Deck. My signature song is, "I Just Want to Make Love to You" by Muddy Waters. I also sing some Willie Nelson ... [singing] "Maybe I didn't love you..." I play blues guitar by ear - I try hard.