Written and Submitted by Dan – The Mail Man
It has been my pleasure to serve the residents of Grafton, Petersburgh and the surrounding areas, as your Rural Postal Carrier, these past 15 years. It was my good fortune to be trained by two excellent carriers, Ann Dennio of Melrose and Don Jones of Petersburgh. Being a Rural Carrier is more than just delivering mail and packages. It is becoming a member of the community, actively helping one another. More than once people of the the community have come to my aid when I broke down or was stuck; I endeavored to return the kindness whenever possible. I always felt my purpose was to be a good shepherd and provide the best service possible for those in my care.
The community is filled with resourceful, warm, caring people and you would be amazed at the number of talented individuals that are tucked away in the hills and hollows. One of my favorite quests was to ask people who were not native to the area, “How did you come to live here, out in the middle of nowhere?” The stories I received were fascinating. Another thing I enjoyed was talking to the children and watching them grow into wonderful young adults. Children are such a joy, they are inquisitive, unbiased, honest, and delighted to share their perspective, as they see it.
The area is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and wildlife, truly God’s Country, an ideal place to raise a family. I have acquired many friends over the years, who became my extended family. I never liked it when I lost people off my route, because they moved away or moved on. Goodbyes are never easy, even though new beginnings may be around the corner. I thank you all for the many kindnesses you have shown me over the years, and pray the light of goodness continues to shine on and through your lives and that our paths will cross again.
