A Holiday Revisit To An American Gem

Post Office Pride

Boo!  It was closed the first time I visited.

About a year and a half ago I happened across this little , and I mean quite literally, little post office in Red Wood, Virginia.  I was on my way home from a retreat in the region.  I fell in love with the quaint post office even though I couldn't go in because it was closed .  You can read about it here in a previous post .    Well, lo and behold, that post was read by the Redwood, Virginia  Postal Clerk, Ben C.  This postal clerk  has  great pride in his little post office and sent me a message recently  informing me of the post office  hours , and inviting me to visit again--especially because this darling post office was decorated for the holidays!  Events occurred that necessitated a trip to the area (3 hour drive for me) to visit my daughter.  When I was leaving my daughter's home she said,  "Mom, are you going to try to go by that cute post office?  If so, would you take my cards?"  And so another trip to the cutest post office ever!  

Entering the tiny post office was just as I thought it would be, quaint and charming, a definite "Americana" experience.  The Christmas greenery and twinkling lights were a perfect touch for the holidays.  And behind the counter was a  postal clerk with a warm, genuine smile, welcoming me to the post office.  This was the savvy, social media  postal clerk who knew how to track down a blogger through her Etsy store!  Haha, thats pretty good!  I asked if he was indeed , "Ben" and shook his hand and told him who I was.  You know, I have never been "invited" to visit a post office...but hey, I think more postal clerks should!  These gems are part of the American fabric of everyday life and need to be celebrated.

Ben probably didn't think I would treat him with such celebrity status (as I am snapping away with photos) , but he was obliging.   Look how nice and neat his tiny space is!  I particularly like the "Charlie Brown Christmas tree " behind his shoulder!  Hey, I want to nominate him for something in the USPS!!!  Postal Clerk of the Year???? After I left yesterday , I noticed I had  a message thanking me for the visit.  Let me share his own words:

"...This little post office is kind of a throwback to times that have passed in much of today's world, where as postman I get a chance to really know and share in the lives of the people who come here, and be part of the community--which is what I love so much about working here. Since it's a half-day post office, I work some afternoons in larger offices; but my heart is really here...

Thanks Ben!  I'm glad I got to share in the life of a tiny little post office.  

So, as you are sending out your cards this year, don't forget to thank these wonderful postal clerks who are the first to actually handle these pieces of correspondence that you are mailing...the first human to touch your letters and send them on their way to their final destinations.  

Have a lovely holiday....Merry Christmas to all of my readers!

And drive safely...we don't want any delays to  our mail!

Have a blessed Christmas,

Pam