Overheard . . . While walking the dog

"Have a good afternoon Mrs. Wilsted."

This was said by my local mailman down the block from my home. Immediately I felt the glow of being recognized. I thanked him... and hopefully he understood it was not simply for wishing me a nice day.

There is a lot of talk about politics right now. But at its root, to me, politics is about community... the one we have and the one we want to build for ourselves and our children. Politics is also about public service. My mailman, who recognizes me even when I am away from my house, gets paid a salary. I don't really know much about mailman salaries.. but I am guessing, like most people int he public sector, he could do better by going into the private realm. His occupation in about service.

This service happens at the national level, (although sometimes it doesn't seem so), but even more on a state and local level. So no matter which way each of us leans politically, it is our job to find people who first and foremost understand that theirs is a job of service. Service puts others first. It looks for efficiencies and pushes for progress. It is as humble as a mailman who wishes his community members, by name, a good day, all the while knowing that few of them know his own name or anything about him.

When the political game gets to be too much for me over the coming many months I am going to try to remember my mailman who delivers the mail to democrat and republican families alike, and wishes them each a good day while he does so.