Goodrich-When Judy Jones started delivering mail, first class postage stamps cost 6 cents each and the Goodrich Post Office had just one route. Now, 36 years later, stamps cost 39 cents and the post office has grown to four full routes plus an auxilary route.
‘It’s been a great ride,? says Jones, 55, a Goodrich postal carrier since Jan. 20, 1971, who will retire this month.
‘But it’s time to stop and smell the roses? instead of just driving past them.?
Prior to Jones employment at the post office, all mail delivered to the Goodrich zip code was delivered via post office box.
Jones, a Goodrich resident, has worked the same route throughout her caeer, and has witnessed the growth of Goodrich through the different places to which she’s delivered the mail.
Witnessing the changes in the postal industry has been, to Jones, the most interesting aspect of the job, but one constant in her caeer has been her favorite season to deliver the mail.
Smiling, Jones talks about how much she’s always enjoyed making deliveries in December, despite the widespread notion that the month brings with it extra hassle for postal carriers along with the holiday cards and packages.
‘I’ve always loves delivering in the month of December,? says Jones. ‘Everybody is happy.?
And while she was sad to see the season pass, Jones said change is ever present in her line of work, and that makes each day interesting.
‘No two days are ever alike,? laughs Jones.
Jones began her carrier as a substitute carrier, before becoming a full time carrier in 1976. She says she remembers the strange feeling of driving a vehicle with the steering wheel on the opposite side of the steering column, but says it was never difficult for her.
Physical demands of the job, including lugging the mail into the boxes, did wear on her at times Jones admits, but does not appear anxious to leave this part of her life in the rearview mirror. She will miss both the people on her route and at her post office.
‘There’s a lot of (people along the route) you just develope this little friendship with over the years. It’ll be hard to not see them,? says Jones.
Jones recalls a day when a customer told her how important the job Jones performs is, a token of appreciation that stands out among years of service.
‘I got a card one time that said something to the effect of ‘you have no idea how many smiles you bring into our lives (by way of packages, cards and letters),?? says Jones.
And while she will miss those moments, Jones says she is ready for a new chapter in her life.