I love moments when people are just real and good to one another.
Like a couple of weeks ago when the entire gym full of people gave a spontaneous standing ovation to a tearful retiring teacher who had just been serenaded by the school choir. I barely know this teacher, but it touched me. It was neat to witness what was, I can guess, one of the best moments of her life.
This week is the last week of work for the very beloved mailman in our neighborhood. Before meeting this man, I never would have believed the relationship that could be formed between a mailman and the people on his neighborhood route. Stan is so wonderful, though, that he has many people pretty sad that he is leaving. He always has a smile and kind word for every single person on his route. In fact, he knew and addressed me by name within the first week of us moving here and we've had dozens of conversations since then. (He happens to be delivering our mail each day right at the time that Katie and I are leaving to pick Drew up at preschool.) He consistently goes out of his way to make connections with the neighborhood.
Because of health issues, he has to switch to a driving route instead of our walking route, so today will be his last day. I find it touching that the people of the neighborhood have placed signs in their yards wishing him well and thanking him for so many years of wonderful service. There are signs taped to the stop signs that say things like, "It will not be the same without you, Stan. Thanks for all you have done!"
This morning Stan sent an email to all of the residents thanking us and saying how much he has enjoyed his job and getting to know everyone. He said:
"I am so grateful to all of you for the kindness you have shown to me thru the years. You have helped me through the loss of both of my parents, the birth of Caleb (he is now 8 years old) and have prayed with me for my wife with her health issues and then for me with mine. I wish I could work in this neighborhood until I retire. My recent health issues have made it clear to me that that is really not going to work; for that I am very sorry. The signs on the corners were nice and reminiscent of how you have treated me during my 13 years here. No words I can come up with are adequate. You are my friends; I hope I do not reach too much in saying you are more like family. You have made me a better person than I otherwise would have been. I wish the very best to all, and I will miss you very much.
Stan
I just find the whole thing so nice. It makes me happy just to witness it.
Like a couple of weeks ago when the entire gym full of people gave a spontaneous standing ovation to a tearful retiring teacher who had just been serenaded by the school choir. I barely know this teacher, but it touched me. It was neat to witness what was, I can guess, one of the best moments of her life.
This week is the last week of work for the very beloved mailman in our neighborhood. Before meeting this man, I never would have believed the relationship that could be formed between a mailman and the people on his neighborhood route. Stan is so wonderful, though, that he has many people pretty sad that he is leaving. He always has a smile and kind word for every single person on his route. In fact, he knew and addressed me by name within the first week of us moving here and we've had dozens of conversations since then. (He happens to be delivering our mail each day right at the time that Katie and I are leaving to pick Drew up at preschool.) He consistently goes out of his way to make connections with the neighborhood.
Because of health issues, he has to switch to a driving route instead of our walking route, so today will be his last day. I find it touching that the people of the neighborhood have placed signs in their yards wishing him well and thanking him for so many years of wonderful service. There are signs taped to the stop signs that say things like, "It will not be the same without you, Stan. Thanks for all you have done!"
This morning Stan sent an email to all of the residents thanking us and saying how much he has enjoyed his job and getting to know everyone. He said:
"I am so grateful to all of you for the kindness you have shown to me thru the years. You have helped me through the loss of both of my parents, the birth of Caleb (he is now 8 years old) and have prayed with me for my wife with her health issues and then for me with mine. I wish I could work in this neighborhood until I retire. My recent health issues have made it clear to me that that is really not going to work; for that I am very sorry. The signs on the corners were nice and reminiscent of how you have treated me during my 13 years here. No words I can come up with are adequate. You are my friends; I hope I do not reach too much in saying you are more like family. You have made me a better person than I otherwise would have been. I wish the very best to all, and I will miss you very much.
Stan
I just find the whole thing so nice. It makes me happy just to witness it.
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