Saturday, September 17, 2011

I've been thinking...



No that's not me. I do most of my thinking as I walk. My legs need to be moving for me to do serious contemplation. Fresh air helps.
I've been thinking about all the turmoil the postal service is going through and about a friendship I made about 15 years ago.
Back in the days of film, I used slide film and Kodak shipped the slides in little Kodak orange boxes. Our mailman at the time, Joe was very concerned about leaving these little boxes in the street mail box and would carry them up our long driveway to the door. Is that personal service or what! Over the ten years we lived in that house I photographed Joe's second wedding, his daughter's wedding and is sister's wedding. We still keep in touch, but now he's behind the counter in a different location and I've moved away. I don't have the same relationship with the new mailman. Maybe Joe spoiled me.
I've always enjoyed getting a letter in the mail. As a child, it was special and fun to run down to the box and collect the mail. It's something I still enjoy.
I feel bad that the post office is not doing well. Here's another industry hurt by modernization, the internet. We don't send letters any longer. And many people pay bills on-line. This may be fine for most of the time, but what about birthday cards, Christmas cards and other holiday cards? Do you have a family tradition with cards? What if there were no longer a postal service? Will we be decorating with e-mailed card?
I'd like to help my fellow men and woman at the post office and send a note to anyone who wants one. I'll start with the folks I know and extend it to anyone who wants to join me. Just e-mail me or post your address and I'll send you a note.

7 comments:

S. Etole said...

What a splendid idea. I would miss the postal service a good deal.

Anonymous said...

i think you may have started something here...

i am going to send some people letters and cards via united states postal service.

and the first one i send will be for joe.

Cyndy said...

thanks for the post about the post office. I am retired after a 30 year job of delivering the mail. We all did special things for special customers. The USPS relies on sales to succeed, they have asked for help from Congress like the auto/banking businesses....Make a pledge to send ONE piece of mail per week and we won't lose the local mail carrier..........

Elizabeth Grimes said...

What a nice idea. And so neat that you became so close with your post man!

Louise Gallagher said...

You definitely have started something here -- and you've reminded me of a couple of cards I need to send!

Hilary said...

I'm guilty of doing most of my communication and bill paying online. I can't imagine using the postal service for anything but greeting cards, these days. It's a sad reality but I don't dislike the immediacy of email and the cost savings of paying bills online. That having been said, I do have fond memories of various postal carriers over the years and it's a shame that certain industries have to suffer. Sadly, I think it's the way of the world.

Virginia said...

Well you have a point there. When I wasn't internet addicted I was still a card slacker.

Love the photo.
V