By the time I was born, the mail was no longer delivered on horseback. It came via a real live human who walked the streets stuffing mailboxes. I adored my postman because he delivered magical things to me – letters from boys.

Not only did I appreciate those love letters, I liked playing Post Office, too. Needless to say, I’ve always been a big fan of the US Postal System.

Packages, pay checks and the Sears Catalog arrived magically. Unfortunately, when somebody invented junk mail, the love affair began to sour.

As I worked my way through the business world, mail became the enemy. I spent one too many nights dashing to the airport with an “it has to be there overnight” package. We got so much mail, somebody had to sort it.

“You’ve got mail” changed all that. Instead of standing in a long line to get the postal meter zapped with another $200 in postage, I could simply email people and get an instant response. The Internet worried me in the beginning because it was so impersonal, but I had to admit it made my life easier. Especially with those on-line dating sites.

Still, there are times when it’s simply required to stand in line at the post office. In the Big City, it could take up to 30 minutes to get a turn at the counter. Luckily, I would peruse the photos of Most Wanted men checking to see if there was a male for me.

When I moved to the country, my realtor said, “You need a P.O. Box. That’s how we get our mail down here.” “A Post Office Box?” I thought. I figured those were only for bad guys who were laundering money.

Evidently, in the country, it’s really hard for a postman to walk 40 acres to deliver the mail.

So I headed to my new local post office. It was absolutely charming. There were old wooden boxes, one open window and a friendly face who knew everybody’s business. Being a Post Master in a small town will do that to you.

There are many things I love about our pint-sized post office. They close every day from 1 to 2 for lunch. If you need a book of stamps during that time, well, you’re just out of luck. Secondly, the only time I’ve ever seen 3 people in line at the same time is during the Christmas rush when 2 of the 3 are chatting about the long line. They also decorate the place up for every holiday so if bunnies and chicks are your thing, this is your place.

But what do I love most about our post office? It’s when I drive by and see people standing outside their cars just visiting. I feel hopeful the Internet hasn’t really won after all. Who doesn’t need a little personal contact laced with some good old fashioned gossip?

So imagine my horror the other day when I drove by this precious post office only to see a giant gapping hole in the side of the building. No one’s quite sure what happened since it was lunchtime, but rumor has it some woman took it on with a rather large pick-up truck.

Instantly we got a drive-through post office and something else to gossip about. Of course the old timers around here are still blaming the whole mess on a “crazy woman driver.” I prefer to think she put her “stamp” on the place.

Support your local post office. Go mail something to a friend today.

Spreading laughter throughout the world…one chuckle at a time.

Mikie Baker
www.mikiebaker.com

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