In My Own Words

I went to the post office on my way home from work this afternoon. I had one rather large, heavy-ish box that was going parcel post  Space Available, and four Priority Large Flat Rate Boxes ready to go, but since I wasn’t sure how much the large box was going to cost, I took it in first and left the other four in the car until I knew if I’d have enough money to ship them or not.

The large box, which was going to Afghanistan and was full of comfort items for a female Soldier, wound up costing $15.50. I had $20 cash, which I got for the rolls I delivered New Year’s Eve, so I used that to pay for the box. I knew I was not going to be able to send all four of the flat rate boxes; I was going to be just under $1 short, which was a bummer. But at least I had enough for three of them. So I told the Postmistress (who happened to be the one on duty) that I had more boxes out in the car, and I would be back in a few minutes with them.

Now, the post office was pretty busy, almost as bad as the pre-Christmas rush. I went out to the car and got the three packages and the customs forms, and headed back inside. There were four or five people in line ahead of me, so I excused myself and asked if folks could move just enough for me to set the three packages on the counter right inside the door. I didn’t think I could hold them for the duration, and if I set them on the floor I’d have a hard time getting them picked up as crowded as it was. They cleared a spot so I could set my boxes down, and I patiently waited my turn.

When my turn came, I got the Postmistress’s window again. As she was processing the first customs form, she asked me if I had any help sending care packages, maybe a church or something, and I told her no, I was doing it on my own. Then she asked if I had family in the Military, and I told her no, I adopt Warriors from AnySoldier.com and do my best to spoil them rotten. She said “You’ve been doing this for years; you’ve always done it on your own?” and I told her yes, aside from an occasional donation of items for packages, it’s been my labor of love all this time. She raised her eyebrows and said “Wow…you’ve spent a fortune just on the shipping alone, and now it’s gone up again.” I agreed, and said our Warriors are worth every bit of time & money spent. I told her about my Raise Dough for the Troops fund raising efforts, and we continued chatting while she processed the final two boxes.

As she was working on the third package, I had my checkbook out, and she said “Wait a minute, don’t start writing yet. Is this all the boxes you have?” I said “No, I have one more out in the car,” and she said “Go get it while I get these ready to go.” I went out and got the final box, and when she got it processed, she handed me her credit card and said “Do me a favor and swipe this for me; I can’t reach the reader from here.” I was prepared for her to pay for the one box I didn’t have enough funds for, but y’all, she paid for all four of them… $50.  I was standing there with my check book out ready to write a check for the balance, and she said “You just put that away. I’ve got these. Happy New Year, Ms. Tracy.” After I picked my jaw up off the floor I stammered out a thank you and told her that my Warriors and I appreciated her generosity more than words could convey, then I headed out the door before I could make a fool of myself by crying or something.

Well, I made it out to the car without breaking into tears, but by the time I pulled out of the parking lot they were flowing pretty freely. That was the most awesome thing that’s happened in a long time. And that means I’ve still got $44 and change in the Troop Support account, so I can send three more packages even if I don’t get any bread orders any time soon…

Didn’t I tell you it was an Awesome Post Office Story?  Pleasant View Postmistress Betty Choate, you’re an angel in disguise!