Pony Express.

Last week I mailed something to a friend. After receiving it, he remarked, "Ah, the post office. I didn't know anyone used the post office anymore." Common misconception. People mail things, happy things, every day across the country and back. I send fun little things all over this country because it makes people happy. And I'd hate to see the USPS fail.

Here are some great things I've received since I moved to Virginia.

• A calendar birthday card that my grandpa signed.
• An apron my great-grandmother wore.
• Diet Coke paraphernalia.
• A stuffed dog that Abbey won in a claw machine. Seriously. Apparently she has had a lifelong knack for those machines that normally just take your money. It's Belle's toy now. She loves it.
  
• Bluetooth. I need that hands free for my kitchen (and admittedly my car.)
• Tons of postcards, letters, encouraging words. I'm saving them all!
  
• Candy.
• Dangly earrings.

A couple of weeks ago I was homesick. There were a couple rough days where I was lonely and very sad about the job situation in this foreign land.

Tracy rounded up the gang to send me a cheer up present. It arrived on Saturday after the good news about the job, but it was still much appreciated.

I opened the package to find candy from our favorite sweets store in Indianapolis and this:


I pulled all the pieces out, and it made a darling little puzzle full of notes from my brothers and family in Indiana.


They're so sweet. I especially love what Mitch wrote: Hey. Heard you were home sick. Hope this makes you feel better. Mitch. (My brothers are getting SO big - Mitch just started 6th grade!)

See? The Post Office makes people happy. An e-card is brief and enjoyable. Cards, letters, a message in a bottle...that's the stuff that lasts.