An Official

The email said "Official" from U.S. Postal Service, and I immediately thought, “What have I done now?”

Am I being put on the ten most wanted list? Have I been politically incorrect again and warrant censure? Did I forget the estimated tax payment last month?

Or did I neglect to add an extra stamp on that Papyrus birthday card I just mailed. I never weighed the envelope, and I should have known that would catch up with me one day. Perhaps I will just go back to making a phone call. I can’t get into trouble that way.

Or maybe, just maybe, they’re sending me a reward for being such a good customer. Could that be possible? I can’t imagine how many stamps I have used on all those SASEs I have mailed during the years after I learned how to scribble. And I always buy commemoratives. That should count for something.

But this is a first. The U. S. Postal Service even spelled my name correctly. Best to open it now and face the music

And to my surprise, it was none of the above. No, they were informing me it has been exactly one year since I officially requested having mail forwarded to a new abode.

I don’t want to argue with the government especially now that I realize I’m not in their bad graces. But one year, are they certain about that?

Wasn’t it six weeks ago I closed the door for the last time on the house with white shingles and black shutters without stopping for a final time to look back? I have always worried about turning into the proverbial pillar of salt.

And wasn’t it just a little while ago on a Sunday afternoon that I treated myself to Zorn’s chicken wings and then added Krisch’s butter pecan ice cream to my menu for a solitary dinner?

And I know it was only yesterday that my posse and I shared coffee and corn muffins on the screened patio. Or maybe they were blueberry, and my friend, Mary, had brought them. Or possibly, that was the Monday morning she brought her marvelous scones, but I am certain it was only last week.

Oh, I admit the government is efficient. They keep reminding me of that annually when it’s time to file an income tax return. Still could they be wrong this time? Probably not. Even though I have a new MacAir, the government equipment is undoubtedly far more sophisticated. At least I hope it is.

And since they are most likely right, then it wasn’t just yesterday I moved away. It really was almost 365 days ago and all the amazing memories of Massapequa are indeed alive and well, and will remain intact evermore in my heart.