A few weeks ago when I went into town to pick up the mail, our postmaster asked if I would be willing to undertake a "community service project." Being the gullible guy that I am, I said, "Sure, glad to help out."
Then Kevin, our postmaster, handed me a stack of letters simply addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole." He explained that the US Post Office told him to either send them to Salt Lake where maybe they could have some volunteers answer them or throw 'em away. That was unacceptable to Kev. He said, "The office in Salt Lake (90 miles away) doesn't know our people. They don't know our kids!" So Kevin decided he'd have one of the locals (me) answer Santa's mail this year.
It's been fun...and then two days ago I got a letter from a little girl in our valley that just about tore my heart out. It was a sweet, simple letter, but the first thing she asked for was food and toys for the orphans.
After asking for a few things for herself, she then asked if Santa could please find her daddy a job like the job he used to have before he got laid off.
Dang, guys. I'll be honest, I had a tough time getting through that letter. I answered her as sweetly as I could, thanking her for her nice letter, and though I couldn't promise anything, I would do my best.
I didn't think this job was going to be that tough, but on the bright side, it has made me more aware of the blessings in my life.
May the holidays be bright for all of you and yours.
Then Kevin, our postmaster, handed me a stack of letters simply addressed to "Santa Claus, North Pole." He explained that the US Post Office told him to either send them to Salt Lake where maybe they could have some volunteers answer them or throw 'em away. That was unacceptable to Kev. He said, "The office in Salt Lake (90 miles away) doesn't know our people. They don't know our kids!" So Kevin decided he'd have one of the locals (me) answer Santa's mail this year.
It's been fun...and then two days ago I got a letter from a little girl in our valley that just about tore my heart out. It was a sweet, simple letter, but the first thing she asked for was food and toys for the orphans.
After asking for a few things for herself, she then asked if Santa could please find her daddy a job like the job he used to have before he got laid off.
Dang, guys. I'll be honest, I had a tough time getting through that letter. I answered her as sweetly as I could, thanking her for her nice letter, and though I couldn't promise anything, I would do my best.
I didn't think this job was going to be that tough, but on the bright side, it has made me more aware of the blessings in my life.
May the holidays be bright for all of you and yours.
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