Parents want their children to be ready for the world when they grow up.

In addition to learning from teachers, parents attempt to teach their children additional life lessons that can only be learnt outside of the classroom. What if the lessons come from sources other than family and teachers?

Audrey wanted to be dropped off at the corner while Gina Arnold was driving her daughter, Audrey, to Marina Village Middle School in El Dorado Hills, California. Gina had already past the corner when she dropped her off at the school entrance.

Audrey requested that she return.
Gina was perplexed and questioned as to why she desired to be left off there. Audrey expressed her want to speak with the sweet old man who spoke with all of the kids before school.

Gina’s mother instincts kicked in, and she immediately wanted to know who this man was. Audrey had always been taught not to speak to strangers, and she was disappointed when she did. She was curious as to who this man was. As a result, she drove Audrey to the actual corner.

She was surprised when she came.
Wally Richardson, a 94-year-old veteran who usually went to that corner every morning to impart life lessons with all the kids who passed by, was the old man Audrey and the other kids spoke with.

‘Whenever possible, be kind,’ Wally would tell them.

This is only one of his ‘Wally-isms,’ as he calls them. ‘Understanding what’s right doesn’t mean anything if you don’t do it!’ Wally would also mention that on a frequent basis. Wally is also known as Mr. Knuckles since he regularly gives the kids fist bumps before they go for school.

Since 2008, he’s been spreading Wally-isms. He and his wife would eat breakfast before walking to the same area and meeting the pupils of Marina Village Middle School for the first few years.

Unfortunately, due to health issues, his wife was unable to participate in this morning routine with him. Wally carried on this practice every school day because he wanted to spread more kindness to the world, and the best way to do so is to begin with the children.

Audrey had wanted to be dropped off at the corner, and Gina was grateful for that, for she would not have met Mr. Knuckles otherwise.

He’s a godsend to the kids, so I’m glad he’s there. ‘One of the finest sensations I could possibly have as a parent is knowing that everything I’m trying to teach in my kids is being pushed when I drop them off,’ Gina told Inside Edition.

Gina has the support of the entire school.
‘It just takes one key adult in a child’s life to have a lifelong impact, and Wally is that person with children,’ said Cheryl Olson, the school superintendent.