Like most people, I never thought much about the postal system. I expect the mail person to deliver daily and if it was late I would be ticked off. Or if it was something I had to sign for and wasn't at home, then I would have to drive 5 miles into town to get it. Any number of things about the postal system would upset me. Especially if they raised the post rate! Well this Christmas season the US Postal system has run a commercial on TV and caused me to realize what a job they are expected to do. The commercial shows a supervisor giving his workers a pep talk about the amount of work they have to do this time of year. There is one line that opened my eyes and I had never thought about before. He says "Last year (2013) we made 15 billion succesful deliveries. " That number completely blew my mind!
Captain, we put a bag of cookies and a Christmas card in our mailbox today. Our rural route carrier couldn't be more considerate, on-time, and efficient! He brings packages that won't fit into the mail box to our door, and rings the doorbell so we will know the package is there. He also takes the time to check on anyone who hasn't picked up the previous day's mail--in a rural area with no close neighbors, that is a real blessing. When we lived in town the mail service was atrocious (mis-delivered mail, dropped mail in our driveway, and the excuse of "I'm just human"). Now we really appreciate the good service, cheerfulness, and kindness of our mailman. Maybe I should put out another bag of cookies !
I was like you CK and never really gave a thought to how many packages, letters, cards etc were posted, especially over Christmas. We were speaking to a sorter the other day and I was amazed that each one was expected to sort 300 pieces of mail every minute!! I now have much more respect for these individuals and the mailmen that have to deliver each and every one.
We put a check in the mailbox for our mail LADY and she left us a box of cookies. The are all very hard workers.
cash is KING! Remember your trashman/woman (binmen for you English/British folk) this time of year too. They do work none of you want to do for yourselves. A small remembrance goes a long way.
FBG, today we gave our trashman pull-apart rolls. He loves them and has enjoyed them in the past for any holiday that a small gift of home-made yeast rolls was appropriate. If it weren't for the trash/bin/dust men, we would all be up to our knees in unwanted "stuff". So, thank you all who pick up our trash, and may you all have happy holidays!
