Have we no compassion?
07/25/2005 11:02 p.m.
At the end of June, a Pat Salmon & Sons driver (a sub-contractor for the USPS) was on his way to Arkansas with a box load of mail. He never made it. En route, an accident occured and the truck burst in flames destroying much of the box and killing the driver.
I remember this because of the news story related to the accident. The anchorwoman says "Some of you may be getting your Social Security checks late this time ~ details next." So of course, I "stay tuned". The story was on the accident and subsequental fire and death of the driver. But the main point was the money. Now please, don't get me wrong and don't take this out of context ~ I know that for some individuals this check is their only lifeline. But what about the life of that driver and his family? Funny, I never even heard them mention his name.
Well, this morning when I got to work ~ on my desk lay a large, clear USPS envelope with a check marked with singed edges. I knew at once that this check had to have been on that load. I actually shivered. And thought of that driver. So when it came time to make the deposit ~ I opened up the envelope, instantly smelling that unmistakable smell of ruin and I shivered again. And thought of that driver.
Tucked neatly behind the check was a small typed note on a sliver of paper. It said:

~ Postal Customer: Your mail was damaged in a fatal accident of a non-postal contract mail vehicle enroute to Arkansas. We apologize for the damaged condition of your mail. ~

That was it. I do believe at that moment my mouth hit the floor. I was speechless. The lack of compassion in that snipet of "mail" infuriated me. One ~ they did not have to mention it was fatal. Two ~ they made sure to let the customer know that it was not their fault, that a "non-postal" employee was to blame. And Three ~ no signature, nothing. It was like some peon decided to just slap a few words together and hope they made sense. At least they did apologize. Does it matter who's fault it is? That man lost his life.

And I said a silent prayer for that man and his family ~ hoping that no one in his family would receive a piece of the mail that just so happened to be on that truck with that lame apology enclosed.

I just don't understand.
I am currently Stunned
I am listening to the quiet.