~Simple Joy 5~ A mailbox.

At the end of the little dirt road, was a mailbox, set at a jaunty angle, although perhaps twenty years ago it had sat upright. The many seasons of rain and snow had clearly taken it's toll. It was a dedicated box, opening and closing whenever the mail carrier came. Never rejecting the envelopes and packages that were placed-or shoved-inside, whether big or small, important or not. No matter the weather, it stands like a faithful little soldier, protecting the contents inside of it or waving it's petty red flag high into the air.

Such a job is taken for granted, sometimes forgotten entirely. But to have the task of guarding words is a significant one indeed, for words are precious things. I guess we downplay the role of the mailbox, because it is more often than not disappointing. The abundance of bills, magazines with empty articles, advertisements for unwanted junk. In remembering this little container, however, remember also the times when it brought you joy. The day you expected nothing but bills, but found a letter from an old friend. The February where you received valentines in red envelopes as well as a little box of chocolates wrapped up in newspaper. The day your grandmother sent you a letter, just to say hello. That time you were in college, feeling low and stressed, and your mother sent you a package from home, filled with homemade cookies and notes of encouragement.

Certainly, mailboxes can become just a habitual item of every day, bearing reminders and statements one would rather not receive. But they are also protectors and givers of words, delivering envelopes of sunshine to brighten one's day.

P.S. I couldn't resist uploading this picture :)