THE POSTMAN'S PRAYER

This appeared as a letter to the editor in the Kansas City Star this morning (10/14).

Submitted by Marge Sallee, KS:

After serving 42 years in the Postal Service, I retired in 1970. My last position was superintendent of the post office in North Kansas City. During my postal career, I was a carrier and later served in several supervisory positions including postal inspector.

Several years after retirement, for one Christmas, I received an item of needlepoint made by my daughter-in-law and inserted into a large picture frame made by my son. It is a beautiful item and a tribute to postal carriers entitled, "The Postman's Prayer." I believe all postal employees will enjoy reading it, especially letter carriers.

God our father --
may everything we do be "first class."
Imprint your own loving "zip code"
upon our hearts
in that we may never go astray.
Provide in your gracious providence
"special handling" for those of us who are "fragile"
and keep us in one piece.
We have been
"signed, sealed, stamped, and delivered"
in your image and likeness,
and we beg you to keep us in your care
as we go about our "appointed rounds."
And when our days draw to a close
and we are marked "Return to Sender,"
be there to greet us at heaven's door
so that nobody may ever say,
"unknown at this address."

Amen.

I read it often, and at my age of 92, I extend my best wishes to all active and retired federal employees.

/s/ Josef A. Meditz - Kansas City, Kansas