I can’t help but share our little adventure for the day. I’m still blown away by amazing gift bestowed upon our family by …. our mail carrier, Walter.

We moved to our current home four years ago, when I was pregnant with Future Hoarder of America. I’ve probably told you guys before that our neighborhood is a bit of a throwback. The kind of place where your kid can walk to shops, the park, friends houses, etc. We really do know pretty much everyone on our block and, thanks to our terrific police force, crime is at a minimum. It’s also a place where you can leave your doors unlocked. Okay, so I leave the doors unlocked (when I forget to lock them – uhhm… have I confessed to my remembering disorder??! – working on that one, too). Which is one of the ways we got to know Walter. (He, more than once, has closed my car doors and deposited my keys through the slot. Sorry, Jon. :)

We have always known our mail carriers. I’m a firm believer in not only teaching the kids that this world is full of people, not just passers-by, but also living out that premise. We met Walter on day one. Let’s just say we bowled him over. After he graciously removed his earphones and welcomed us to the block, we briefly chatted about our other mail carriers, his friends and he politely moved on to the next house. Little did he know we would be racing out to greet him almost every day. Since we were a bit home-bound after the birth of our latest little addition, Walter became the highlight of Slow Walker’s day. Hearing the mail-slot open and shut, the kid would b-line for the door, swing it open, and yell at the top of his lungs, “THANK YOU WALTER!!”

I’m not sure the poor guy knew what to think about us, but I know we’ve grown on him. In fact, I would venture to say he looks forward to our mail slot. Now not only Slow Walker, but FHA is running to the door to thank and touch base with our friend.

Throughout the years, we’ve also showered him with baked goods. If he happens to hit our home while some cooking is going on, he gets a to-go plate whether he wants it or not. A couple of years ago, we gave him something that he really enjoyed. So I passed on the recipe. He then shared with me his love for cooking – especially cajun cooking.

“I’d love to share with you my recipe for Jambalaya.”
“Well, I’d love to have it.” I replied.
“Great. I’ll bring it to you.”
“Sounds good, Walter. Whenever is convenient.”

From that point on, he would every so often (and slightly awkwardly) remind me that he was going to bring me “that jambalaya” recipe. Honestly, I would have loved the recipe, but didn’t care at all. We have so enjoyed engaging our friend, that it certainly never mattered whether he remembered the recipe. That said, I thought it was so nice that he would like to share with us something that was near and dear to him.

Well… yesterday, Walter rang our doorbell to drop off a package. (The package didn’t have a cute little puppy in it … No, it was a pair of scorpions that Teen Take-Out found at a pet store in Missouri – perfect friends for Zues. Ugggh!) Walter not only delivered the package, but asked if we were going to be around today. And since we’re knee-deep into our Spring Break Staycation, I told him,

“Much to the kids’ chagrin we’re here.”
“Great…. I have a day off tomorrow and would love to bring my Jambalaya recipe to you.”
“Sounds wonderful.” I replied, wondering why he didn’t just bring the paper with him that day.
“Well.. good then,” he stammered – determined to go through with his promise – but at the same time a bit nervous, “I’ll be by around 10.”

Then comes our rather moving surprise today.

As if on cue, the doorbell rings promptly at 10 am.

“I’ll GET IT…” yells FHA as he scampers to and opens the door. … “Hi Walter.” I hear him say.

I go to the door. Sure enough, there stands Walter wearing jeans, a button down shirt and a backward baseball cap with his name Sharpeed on the bill. He did not have a piece of paper in his hand, but wore a big smile on his face.

“Is it still okay if I come in this morning?”
“Absolutely.”
“Great. I’ll get my stuff.” And he turns, headed back to his truck.
“Can we help you carry anything?” I ask, pushing Slow Walker, who has shown up to see who’s there, out the door. I’ve now started to realize that Walter is doing a little more than sharing a piece of paper with us… He’s planning on showing us how to cook his favorite recipe.
“That would be great.” he yelled back and encouraged Slow Walker to help him grab a few things.

Sorry to do this to you, but…

Tune in tomorrow to share in our wonderful surprise.

(I have to do it. The post would be waaaaay too long.)
Thanks for walking the road with me.
-Kay

Mail Carrier’s Motto:
“We are mothers and fathers. And sons and daughters. Who every day go about our lives with duty, honor and pride. And neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged, will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Ever.”

Pin It on Pinterest