Wednesday, April 5, 2006

GOING POSTAL

I went to the post office yesterday to mail a package to Gabe.  There was a spring in my step and my box rattled of colorful jelly beans and crisply wrapped chocolate rabbits, cradled gently by a fluffy Easter Bunny dressed in a camouflage shirt and matching hat.  A card signed with love from all of the members of the family was placed in the box before it was carefully sealed.  Gabe was thousands of miles away in a land that doesn't observe our holidays and traditions so we were sending the holiday to him.  

I love the people at my post office, but I'm beginning to think the feeling is not mutual.  I swear to goodness golly that every time I step into that building, they look up at me and close down a counter.  It never fails... each and every dagnammit time I go there, I walk in the door, they see me and poof!  Break time!  Yesterday there were 3 clerks, and the line was almost out the door.  I step in, they smile and then there are only 2 clerks.  After waiting 30 minutes (yes, I timed it because they have a clock right there), and only 4 customers had been served since my arrival,  I gave up and relinquished my place in line so I could get back to work. 

This morning there were two clerks and two people in line.  The postal employees smiled and I dared them to leave the counter.  When it was my turn, I took the box I had so carefully wrapped and dropped it on the counter in triumphant determination.  The contents no longer rattled and crinkled but instead made a somewhat soggy thud.  I think I even caught the faint aroma of fruity chocolate.  The Easter candy had no doubt succumbed to the heat of the truck. 

"Are you a commercial shipper?" the clerk asks me.

"Yes, its just a coincident that my last name and my customer's last name are the same."

"Any liquids or perishables?" she asked automatically.

"I think the chocolate may have melted while I was waiting yesterday, but I'm sure the stuffed bunny will have soaked it up."

"This will take about 2weeks for delivery." she informs me.

"Two weeks and one day... I was here yesterday but you took your break when I walked in so I couldn't mail it then."

I hope Gabe can salvage something from the gooey mess that was to be his Easter basket.  And I hope he gets it on time.  His camp's mail-call is pretty good about deliveries.  They know how important mail is for the troops and even made deliveries on Christmas last year.

As for my post office folk, I love them, I really do.  I just wish they would get it out of their minds that I'm some kind of break announcer.  Keep the dang lines open when I come in, sheesh!  Work with me here people, I've got a son to send bits and pieces of home to.  Can I get a little bit of cooperation... please?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I just loved reading this ~ funny how counters shut down when you enter the door ~ this often happens to me ~ and I have such a short lunch hour ~ Hope that Easter Basket gets to your son on time ~ know he will love it even if it is a gooey mess lol ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

pahleeeeze, do not get me going on how windows at the post office or banks close the minute the line goes past 2 people!! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr  you did good dorn!  i heard barely any swearing from here in NJ lol

Anonymous said...

OMG I thought I was the only person in whole wide world that this happen too! Well I hope that the package is delivery intact.

Brenda

Anonymous said...

I hope that Gabe's Easter goodies bring a little bit of home and joy to him and his friends.

be well,
Dawn

Anonymous said...

I hear ya i used to tell them our son is in iraq so please becareful with this package. lol they hated to see me coming i had at least 1 if not 2 or 3 boxes going out. Praying for Gabes safe return

Deb

Anonymous said...

lol...praying it gets there sooner than they said!
Becky

Anonymous said...

I keep thinking about Gabe.  He pops in my head often.  I pray for him whenever I think about him.

Maybe it is just because we are going to Colorado next month, or the fact that he was a Fort Campbell boy, but I think about him a lot.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry about your easter basket to Gabe. Hopefully he can still eat the chocolate and the other goodies. I'm happy that you like your post office, LOL.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry....Gabe and all his friends will be so glad to see that basket, they will lick the chocolate from the paper!!!!!  :-) LOL
(Lots Of Love)