I was initially annoyed when I received a warning from the post office to replace our mailbox or lose our delivery. I had never received such a request from the post office, and I wouldn’t say I liked the two-week deadline.
But as I learned what was happening, I saw this was a valid, long overdue request, and it felt good to fulfill it. With Amazon and package delivery, life for the postal worker has gotten complicated and much more physically intense than it used to be.
The most common injury for postal workers is now a shoulder injury, from leaning out or stretching an arm to reach a mailbox that is too short or tilted too far back. We were guilty on both counts and didn’t realize it.
I got on the phone with Mike Conklin, our rural 911, and he and Ethan came over the following day to build a new one and pull out the rotting old one.
My role was to stand watch, take photos, and then spray paint the front of the block to treat the rust that was beginning to form. We’ll get a new box if necessary, but Mike thought this one would be fine.
It meant a lot to our mail person, who wrote us two notes of thanks and appreciation. We all squawk and bitch about anything government does, and I try not to do that. They are just people like us, not conspiracy targets.
It felt good to do this. Mail delivery is not easy work, and I am happy to help them keep those shoulders safe. It was no big deal, and I am grateful to the post office for letting me know. I feel a strong need to work at being gentle and empathetic. (It doesn’t apply to rats.)
nice new mailbox and post! And how nice that your mail carrier acknowledged it too! Mail carriers (especially in rural areas like yours….and mine) are gems……and oft times very under appreciated. Their work can be quite challenging….and appreciation and thanks on both parts is always a gift!
Susan M
My 1st job was babysitting for my local, rural mail person!! She certainly would have appreciated this type of upgrade!
Your new mailbox is very handsome. Any deliverer would like it. This is not a duplicate post.
I was a letter carrier for 25 years. It’s not an easy job. I did walking routes my whole time. A good but sometimes challenging occupation.
One of my old friends and classmates does the rural mail delivery which includes my dad‘s. He still lives in the town where we all went to school. So he is my age, past retirement age, and had still been working, but he has had to have two shoulder surgeries due to the physical stress of his job.
Good for you for getting that fixed so quickly for your mail carrier.
Thanks Melissa, I’m glad they told me, glad for your dad…we owe these people,they work hard for us…
Nice mailbox.
I have a friend whose mailbox was run into and destroyed by a pickup truck, whose driver couldn’t see it because of the heavy snow that had piled up from as storm. I your new mailbox doesn’t have that happen to it.
Christmas is coming…..don’t forget to give a card with money. Most people in my area never tip their mail carrier. I do. I give them as much as I can afford. Besides that, he is really handsome!