Fruitscakes

In the past week, I have received two different pieces of snail mail that were sent to other people at my address. If it were junk mail, I'd trash it without a second thought, but these both appeared to be legitimate correspondence.

I wrote "Not at this address" on the envelope, and threw 'em back in the outgoing mailbox, and hoped the Postal Service could figure out where those fellas actually live now. But it got me to thinking about stuff.

When I was a kid, my mom made a boatload of cookies and fruitcakes at Christmas. I'm not sure how many other neighborhood moms did this, but I'm guessing it was not uncommon. If I remember correctly, she parceled out the goodies based on some sort of hierarchy determined by how big a role that individual played in our lives. Close friends received a dozen of the best cookies AND a fruitcake, while the electric company meter reader may only get a half dozen crumbly cookies from the "slightly singed" batch.

The point is that my mom actually knew the meter reader. And the mailman and the milkman and the paperboy. She knew their names, probably the names of their family members, and maybe even where they lived. Back then, it seemed that there was a lot more personal connection with the folks who provided goods and services.

The preacher and the church choir director would also receive Christmas cookies, or even the occasional dinner invitation. I don't remember this specifically, but it wouldn't surprise me to learn that she may have distributed goodies to her hairdresser, or even my dad's auto mechanic. I doubt the practice extended to bankers, insurance agents, or grocery clerks...but I bet my folks knew them all by name.

Development of such neighborly relationships may still happen in smaller towns or certain neighborhoods. But I don't see it. Part of it is that meter reading is done by machines, newspapers have disappeared, mailboxes are consolidated in many communities, and milk delivery is not an economical practice for most folks.

So, my question is: How many service providers do you know personally these days?

I know the names of a couple of folks at the grocery store. Richard usually sells me my lottery tickets, and Peggy is most likely to be the available checker during the early hours when I like to shop. I have had the same insurance agent for 30 years, but only talk with her when something needs to change. My Sunday mornings are spent at the swimming pool instead of church, and it should be pretty obvious that I cut my own hair. I do know a few of the lifeguards and front desk personnel at the Ridge, but I pump my own gas, bank online, and because I leave home before sunrise and am asleep before primetime, I don't hang out with my neighbors, either.

Has automation and millennial culture shift turned our society into a collection of isolated hermits? Have the Internet and WalMart destroyed our society's opportunities for fruitcake exchange?

Perhaps. But I would say no.

But I'm not sure I can speak for society in general. You see, I have a bunch of really great friends, and do occasionally experience the joys of goodie exchanges with people who matter in my life. But these friends are mostly folks I know from athletics -- runners, swimmers, bikers, and gym rats. They are not mailmen and meter readers.

That's not a bad thing. Other than thinking that Comcast's prices are outrageous, I have very few problems with any of the services I receive. I don't feel a compelling need for a connection with anyone who works with the power company -- as long as the juice keeps flowing. I suspect that hanging out with my fitness buddies is far more satisfying and fulfilling than any connection my mom got from the neighbors and/or letter carriers she encountered around the house.

Anyway, that's what some misguided mail got me thinking about. What do you think?

But speaking of fitness, I am a little ashamed to admit that I'm even more sore today than I was yesterday. I'm ashamed for two reasons; one is that my soreness is from a run I should be able to do routinely -- which indicates what a slacker I've been lately. And the second is that I realized it's been a LONG time since I'm been this sore...which means that I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. It's time to stop being such a slug.

I do NOT believe in the "No pain, no gain," adage. Pain is an indicator that something is wrong, and that's to be avoided. But I DO believe in the necessity of discomfort in the pursuit of gains. If you never get sore at all, you're most likely not achieving any growth. Somehow, it appears that I've let myself slide into an "always comfortable" zone. This is not acceptable.

So, my friends, I am asking for your support. Keep challenging me. Don't let me get away with complacency. It's OK to give me a hard time when you catch me acting lazy. My legs may be sore today, but I want to get my arms sore tomorrow. So, let's charge ahead and embrace the discomfort that comes with making progress, OK?

Thanks. I'll see you at the pool, at the gym, and up in the hills. No fruitcake, no cookies, just work. (Then maybe an Epsom salt bath and a massage.)

Let's get to it, and have a great day!