Hustling to fulfill holiday wishes
The carrier placed some parcels at the front desk and then walked around the corner to the building’s mail room. Colbert used his keys to open the other side of residents’ mail lockers — about 180 total — and scanned a few bar codes above them.
“This lets the post office know I’m still moving and how much of the route has been done,” he said. For the next 40 minutes, Colbert glanced at the mail in his hands and put everything in the appropriate locker.
Colbert said what became the “hardest job ever” when he started 22 years ago evolved into a fun, simple job for those who “aren’t afraid of hard work.”
Postal workers tend to “cringe” this time of year as holiday gifts roll in and they know longer hours aren’t far behind, he said. After all, the job isn’t done until everything has been delivered that day.
“I start early, but my days are longer. You become exhausted, but some part of it is always fun because everyone is looking for those delivered presents [for holidays] from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa,” Colbert said.
“I’ve been telling my customers that the whole month of December is one long day,” he said.
He said the unofficial creed of the U.S.
Postal Service rings true: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
“‘Blustery’ is the word the weather service used to describe tonight,” said Colbert, wearing six layers of clothing and a head warmer. “When I hear that word, I go heavy on top. You have to protect yourself.”
Around noon, Colbert proceeded to his next stop at the Enclave at Ellicott Hills.
Unlike his previous stop, mail lockers were outside. The wind picked up, but Colbert still had a smile on his face.
“I like the outdoors. If I had to stay indoors, I would’ve definitely looked for another job,” he said, laughing.
Colbert delivered packages that could not fit into the mail lockers to residents’ front porches, including the home of Bill Kotwas.
“I was in the hospital and I missed you,” said Kotwas, who opened the door to shake hands with Colbert. “Thank you for doing a good job.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m glad you’re feel better,” Colbert replied.
After they wished each other happy holidays, Colbert walked back to his van.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“That’s the thing that I like since I’ve been a carrier.” anmichaels@baltsun.com
“This lets the post office know I’m still moving and how much of the route has been done,” he said. For the next 40 minutes, Colbert glanced at the mail in his hands and put everything in the appropriate locker.
Colbert said what became the “hardest job ever” when he started 22 years ago evolved into a fun, simple job for those who “aren’t afraid of hard work.”
Postal workers tend to “cringe” this time of year as holiday gifts roll in and they know longer hours aren’t far behind, he said. After all, the job isn’t done until everything has been delivered that day.
“I start early, but my days are longer. You become exhausted, but some part of it is always fun because everyone is looking for those delivered presents [for holidays] from Hanukkah to Kwanzaa,” Colbert said.
“I’ve been telling my customers that the whole month of December is one long day,” he said.
He said the unofficial creed of the U.S.
Postal Service rings true: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
“‘Blustery’ is the word the weather service used to describe tonight,” said Colbert, wearing six layers of clothing and a head warmer. “When I hear that word, I go heavy on top. You have to protect yourself.”
Around noon, Colbert proceeded to his next stop at the Enclave at Ellicott Hills.
Unlike his previous stop, mail lockers were outside. The wind picked up, but Colbert still had a smile on his face.
“I like the outdoors. If I had to stay indoors, I would’ve definitely looked for another job,” he said, laughing.
Colbert delivered packages that could not fit into the mail lockers to residents’ front porches, including the home of Bill Kotwas.
“I was in the hospital and I missed you,” said Kotwas, who opened the door to shake hands with Colbert. “Thank you for doing a good job.”
“Thank you, sir. I’m glad you’re feel better,” Colbert replied.
After they wished each other happy holidays, Colbert walked back to his van.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said.
“That’s the thing that I like since I’ve been a carrier.” anmichaels@baltsun.com
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