Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." - unknown (photo: Reed)
How often do you sit down with pen and paper and write someone a letter these days? My guess is that if you are reading this blog you are more likely to send an email. I still try to send at least one hand written note each month, but often times I fall short of that goal. It is so much easier to send an email, text message or update my Facebook status. Have you ever wondered how this has affected people who depend on the mail for their livelihood?
Meet Harold, a 22-year veteran of the US Postal Service. I met him in front of my apartment and decided that he should be my person of the day. I have tried to give my ten dollars to other postal workers and have succeeded once on Day 12 and failed on Day 254. This time I succeeded.
photo: Reed
Harold is a letter carrier – and letter carrier is the proper title if you were wondering. He took a few minutes out of his busy day to chat with me as he organized the mail from his van.
“Things have changed a whole lot over the years,” Harold tells me. “Mostly because of the internet; less volume.” He says that advancements in technology have clearly benefited him in many ways in his personal life, however, professionally it has come with challenges. “Job-wise it’s killing me,” he says explaining that his hours have been reduced due to the reduction in posted mail.
We walked and talked briefly as he moved through the neighborhood. He keeps moving pretty good too.
He said he was going to give his $10 to his wife. “That’s what I do with everything else,” he says smiling.
Harold has worked for the Post Office for 22 years. (photo: Reed)
He was busy and I didn’t want to be responsible for the wrong letter winding up at the wrong address so I let Harold go on his way. Support your local letter carrier and send a hand written letter today. You’ll be surprised how good it feels and the recipient will be ecstatic to receive something personal rather than bills and junk mail!
Year of Giving 
I buy cards to mail all the time, and I continually forget! I love receiving hand written notes though 🙂 Thanks for the reminder, I love the idea of sending a card “just because”.
There are many who so love getting a card or letter in the mail. Some seniors and differently-abled people I know love having something that came in the mail to show neighbors and friends.
I have several overseas penpals and as Pat says many of my elder family members receive mail from us on a weekly basis – it is the best feeling in the world to open the mailbox and see something – email just isn’t the same. My 13 year old keeps up a healthy correspondence with her grandparents for this reason [well, and she loves them too!]
I didn’t see Harold’s name in the title and at first I thought – oops Reed missed the deadline on this day – glad to see you caught up with Harold.
I accidentally left off Harold’s name at first…just updated it. Thanks for pointing that out! -Reed
I was a letter carrier for 19 years! 🙂 And I love writing letters and sending cards yet, even if I don’t get many responses that way. Ha!
[…] recipient have in common with yesterday’s recipient? They both carry things for a living. Harold from yesterday carries the mail in DC while Ryan carries beer for thirsty sports fans at the […]