Dear Reader,
Raise your hand if you know the name of your postal carrier—or if you could recognize them on the street. My parents know their carrier by name. If they’re sitting outside when he delivers the mail, they chat. They ask about his kids; he asks about theirs (mostly me, since I still send letters and he knows my handwriting).
Today is National Postal Worker Day, a time to recognize and appreciate the dedication and hard work of the people who deliver our mail—through rain, snow, heat, and yes, even gloom of night.
Many people think the phrase “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” is the official motto of the USPS, but it’s not. The line comes from the Greek historian Herodotus, who wrote about Persian postal couriers. When it was carved above the New York City General Post Office (now Moynihan Train Hall) in the late 19th century, it stuck.
Recently, I sat down for a chat with my own postal carrier in New York City. “Kim” has worked for the USPS for 28 years—25 of them on the exact same route. Even better: she’s been delivering my mail for 13 of those years. Kim is always wearing a big smile, comfy sneakers, and earbuds as she slides envelopes into over 100 narrow boxes in my building.
Felice: You’re always on the phone. Who are you talking to?
Kim: My older sister is ill so most of the time I’m talking to the home attendant.
Oh, I’m sorry. Do you have a lot of siblings?
I am the baby of ten kids.
Wow, your parents were busy.
(She laughs)
When you started delivering mail in 1997, email was just becoming popular. Did you see more handwritten letters back then?
Oh, yes.
And today?
Not that often. Mostly letters from older people who are set in their ways. Then more in the summer when kids go to camp.
Why did you become a postal worker?
I always wanted to. I used to see my carrier growing up. I like being outside, with no one watching over your shoulder. I like the freedom.
Forever stamps are 73 cents and going up. Do you remember how much they cost when you started?
Around 20 cents.
It’s amazing, really, that you can mail one piece of paper across the country for less than a dollar. And it usually doesn’t get lost.
And if you add the four extra numbers after the zip code, it’ll get there faster.
I didn’t know that.
Not many people do. The machine sorts it straight to the right bin.
Have you ever missed a delivery because of weather? Or during Covid?
Maybe once or twice. One time, not enough people showed up, so we did a “token delivery”—just first-class mail, like meds and passports. But during Covid? We were essential and still delivered.
What's the craziest thing you've ever seen mailed?
Livestock.
Like chickens?
(She nods) Baby chicks. They were in a cage. When it says “livestock” you have to deliver it right away. It went to a school.
How much longer do you want to keep delivering mail?
I’m giving them 30 years. Just two more to go.
Do you write letters?
(Sheepishly) No.
How do you feel when you get a personal letter in the mail?
(Face lights up) Oh, I love it. It’s so much more personal than email.
Why do you love it?
Well, it keeps me employed. But also, knowing someone took the time to write—it’s just so much more meaningful than email.
I’m writing a letter a day in 2025. Would you like me to send you one?
Oh yes!
I’ve since written a letter to Kim, thanking her for her work and her presence in my mailbox.
The United States Postal Service was established in 1775. On July 13, the price of a Forever stamp will rise to 78 cents. Considering we’re celebrating 250 years of service, that still feels like a bargain. So go ahead—treat yourself to a fresh sheet of stamps.
With love (and a sticky tongue from licking stamps—kidding, they’re self-stick now),
Felice
P.S. Remember to thank your postal carrier!
P.P.S. Know who the first Postmaster General was? (Hint: He flew a kite in a lightning storm. What didn’t Benjamin Franklin do?)
SONG OF THE WEEK
Waiting On a Letter (Mr. Postman) by The Originals
Felice Cohen is an award-winning author, best known for squeezing big ideas into small spaces—like her 90-square-foot NYC apartment (yes, really). Her books include Half In: A Coming-of-Age Memoir of Forbidden Love, 90 Lessons for Living Large in 90 Square Feet, and What Papa Told Me, with praise from legends like Elie Wiesel and Rita Mae Brown. Her viral YouTube tour has racked up over 25 million views—mostly from people wondering where she kept her shoes. More at felicecohen.com.
And I love that you know George, Linda and Nancy's names!!!!
Love your comment, your philosophy and your appreciation for these people who go above and beyond! With so many technological ways to connect, we're somehow not connecting like we used to: face to face, speaking our appreciation. Thank you for sharing!