Wander and Ponder on Friday: You've Got Mail

We've reached almost another month. While I have looked forward to spring, I wish Mother Nature would put the brakes on it a bit - time is moving too fast. I seem to remember as a child and in my early teens, time moved ever so slowly. Is this what happens as we age? 

Along with aging, there is another reminder of something we used to take for granted - and with excitement, the United States Mail. Growing up, our mailbox was out on the road in front of our house so we had to take a trek. During the school months when we were let off by the school bus, we would grab the mail on our way into our picket-fenced yard. When we were out of school during the summer time we were anxious to get the mail. For me, the "summertime" mailbox held surprises such as birthday cards, pen pal letters from cousins, Weekly Reader News, Jack and Jill magazines, and Scholastic books. Mom was great about keeping us entertained in the summertime with things to read and projects to keep us busy.

Today, while I no longer live in the old family home, I still have to take a trek to get my mail. My neighborhood has a big mailbox with individual locked compartments. For years I would walk across the street in the rain, slide around in the snow on ungraveled walks and streets, and after work risk my life in the dark with neighborhood traffic and service trucks that don't always give pedestrians the right of way. My daily battle would usually end with me finding an empty box or at the very most an unwanted ad. As the years have passed, I am getting fewer bills in the mail because I have "fewer bills," but I also have "paperless" bills, and paying online is so easy. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a little exercise but after battling wet and icy streets in the dark and even the neighbors who catch me outside wanting to gossip about what our other neighbors are doing, I just do not want to engage.

One day I came across USPS Informed Delivery. It's an email service that arrives every morning from USPS with scanned copies of your daily mail announcing, "You've Got Mail," and even packages! Unless there is a package tucked into my mailbox, I now only go to my mailbox about once a week which is usually on Sunday mornings. Once I get back to the house, I usually toss about six pieces of junk mail per one relevant envelope that contains needful information. 

Yes, I own the DVD and have seen the movie at least 30 times, but last Sunday evening I was bored and wanted to watch a movie, but I wanted something I didn't have to think too long about like I would with starting a new mystery series. I just wanted something sweet and light-hearted. As I looked through all of the "million" streaming services I pay for every month, there it was, "You've Got Mail" popped up on the screen. Like I said, I own the DVD, but merely clicking my Firestick and not having to get up and put a DVD into the machine was perfect! Yes, I sat through it and repeated the script almost line for line. 

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I will send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils." 

Later, I realized the resemblance between Meg Ryan's bookstore "The Shop Around the Corner" and my favorite bookstore in Paris. Coincidence? Never! Welcome May!