 | A piece of family---and postal---history. |
Every living letter is different, and this one takes a new angle on what it means to be a POstable.
We POstables relate to Signed, Sealed, Delivered on so many levels. So many of the postal references just delight me and stir my memories of growing up as the daughter of a Railway Mail Clerk.
Theresa Capadiamonte’s performance evaluation of Oliver in the first two episodes of the TV season brought back memories of how seriously my dad would take his twice annual timed sorting tests. Oliver says how he once got a 95% and it still “haunts” him. How does Martha do this? My Dad always aimed for 100% and usually got it. I still have his routing case with some of the practice cards. He and the other clerks would always practice and review, taking their jobs seriously.
Theresa Capadiamonte’s performance evaluation of Oliver in the first two episodes of the TV season brought back memories of how seriously my dad would take his twice annual timed sorting tests. Oliver says how he once got a 95% and it still “haunts” him. How does Martha do this? My Dad always aimed for 100% and usually got it. I still have his routing case with some of the practice cards. He and the other clerks would always practice and review, taking their jobs seriously.
 | My dad sorted mail on a moving post office from 1941 until the last railway mail was delivered in 1968. He climbed aboard the Kansas City Southern mail car at our home town of Siloam Springs, Arkansas (a town as sweet as its name), and worked the mail north to Kansas City’s Union Station. He would spend 1 night in a hotel and then work the mail back home. Another set of railway mail clerks would work South to Texarkana and back. One of my earliest memories as a little girl was standing on the brick platform at the KCS depot feeling the ground rumble as the Kansas City Southern pulled in bringing my Dad home. And yes, I have been to the Postal Museum in Washington, DC. My dad would have loved it. |
I was blessed to be able to move back to my hometown several years ago. The train still goes through and can be heard all over the town. I think of Dad and Mother every time and tell my grandkids stories about their great granddad.
Dad always encouraged us to strive to do the best in our lives. He was not as educated as Oliver, but he had a few favorite sayings. When I was getting ready to go out on a date he would say, “Just remember who you are and you’ll be OK.” That’s a lot like “To thine own self be true”... Shakespeare.
Dad always encouraged us to strive to do the best in our lives. He was not as educated as Oliver, but he had a few favorite sayings. When I was getting ready to go out on a date he would say, “Just remember who you are and you’ll be OK.” That’s a lot like “To thine own self be true”... Shakespeare.
My sincerest thanks to Paula for sharing this unique piece of family---and postal---history. What a neat perspective!
The Living Letters series will continue as long as there are stories to share. If you would like to contribute something about how Signed, Sealed, Delivered has impacted your life that you'd be willing to share here on A&D, feel free to email me.
The Living Letters series will continue as long as there are stories to share. If you would like to contribute something about how Signed, Sealed, Delivered has impacted your life that you'd be willing to share here on A&D, feel free to email me.
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