Mrs. HM Has Hands Laid On Her At The Post Office

Of all the days for The Pony to come down with a fever, it had to be Friday, our adjusted Errand Day for the holiday week. So I was on my own, going into the post office to mail Genius the winning Pittsburgh lottery tickets. I wanted to be sure they had enough postage on the two envelopes.

Of course the handicap space was taken, by a car with handicap plates. I squeezed in next to it, by the concrete retaining wall, and hobbled behind to get to the ramp. Of course another car had just pulled into the regular spaces, and a woman and two young girls jumped out, rushing to the trunk. "Here, go ahead and get these inside." Of course the spry young things beat me in the door, while each carrying a stack of boxes, and proceeded to the counter.

I really did not want to wait on this circus. You know how long it takes to put postage on packages. All the while, Mrs. HM standing there with no support, on locking-up knees. Only one other person was at the counter, an old lady who was filling out some kind of paperwork while the clerk looked up postage or something on his computer.

This is the clerk who is a friend of The Pony. A real nice guy who had a baby (well, his wife did) a couple years ago, and I always ask to see pictures.

The young girls were around 8-10 years old. They kept looking at me. I guess they thought I was going to take their place in line. Although I don't know how they could have an actual place, with them being minors, with no adult, and not capable of officially communicating their business, or paying the postage. Clerky told them to set down their packages. They did, and went outside for more!

I got in line behind the Old Lady. She said something about the young girls, and Clerky said, "Oh, they come in here all the time with their packages."

"What are they? Ebay or something?"

"Something like that. They do a lot of shipping." Clerky said the platform, but I forget.

"Well, that's good, that they have a business to make money. I need to do that!"

"You need little helpers like that, too!" I said, feeling that I could join in the discussion.

The young girls came back, loaded with more packages, and stacked them on top of the others. A young man also came in with a stack of packages.

"It's so good that you have a family business," said the Old Lady.

"Oh, I don't know them. I just offered to help them carry boxes," said the young man.

"You are a really good person," declared the Old Lady. Her business was done, and Clerky gave her the total, which she paid in cash.

I stepped up to do my business, since the young girls were still returning for more packages. I swear they made at least 8 trips. I saw pictures of Clerky's little boy, an angelic toddler with blond curls, having a blast with a Christmas gift of a track and little cars. My envelopes were within the single stamp range, and I paid Clerky and walked out with Old Lady. I held the door for her, and she thanked me and declared that she would hold the outer door for me.

"We are moving at about the same speed."

"Yes. We could have a race! I need a new knee. I have an appointment in March."

"It's my back. And a lot of other things. But the back slows me down."

Just outside the doors, on the sidewalk, Old Lady said, "Give me your hand." I thought she wanted to shake it, so I did, even though it's cold and flu season, and I don't really like touching anybody.

"Lord, help us have the strength to heal our bodies. I know that you can do it. In Jesus name we pray."

I was a bit surprised, but I'm not going to complain about an Old Lady praying for me. She had good intentions. I thanked her and wished her well.

Never a dull moment for Mrs. HM on Errand Day.