It’s been a shitty year, there’s no denying it. If anyone gets too Pollyanna about it, they’re likely to get punched right in their cute little button nose. These days it seems like the punch Pollyanna threshold is at an all-time low, so I’d like to share with you a bit of brightness. A feel good moment brought to you by FedEx.
Let’s start with a bit of history.
I moved into an adorable little apartment in June of 2019 after having been essentially homeless and unemployed for nearly two years. In the fall of 2017, I quit my job, sold my furniture and gave away most of my belongs. I had been accepted into the Peace Corps and was planning to depart in January for Thailand. You could say I was looking for a change. Peace Corps didn’t work out and I ended up in Africa, but that’s a story for later.
Back to June 2019. I moved into this great apartment with pretty much nothing. Slowly I began to acquire furniture, which required delivery. If you’re familiar with the low end furniture shopping experience, you might remember that delivery means dropping a bunch of boxes off. And that’s the end of the experience. The rest is up to you.
Delivery guys piss me off.
I found myself getting so angry with all the delivery guys who left 50, 60, 70 pound boxes downstairs for me to take up the ten steps to the second floor. Come ON fellas, step it up! I’m a card carrying AARP member here! Dinner time creeps closer and closer to 4:30pm every day! It’s some uncool bullshit, I tell you!
All these delivery guys had thus far evaded my wrath, swooping in like brown-clad ninjas wearing some kind of ancient cloak of sound proofing and silently dropping the boxes as close to the inside of the entry way door as possible. Then one day I struck gold, which is appropriate because I’m pretty sure I was on my way outside for a quick bit of fresh air during a Golden Girls marathon break.
Finally … my golden opportunity!
As I was turning the corner on the landing after the first five stairs, I was startled to be sharing the small entry way with one of them! This one was not wearing brown, but he was a package ninja alright. He had just put a small box on the floor, and I saw my name on it. This is my chance to give one of them a piece of my mind!
He listened to me bark about carrying up my own packages and how they’re supposed to be delivered “to the doorstep.” The first floor people get theirs delivered to their door – it’s not fair! Delivery guys are so much better equipped to carry heavy objects than little old me, after all.
This guy is not like the other package ninjas.
He didn’t make any excuses or get defensive. He didn’t even cross his muscly arms over his barrel chest or roll his eyes to signal he did not have time for this. What he did do was promise to bring my packages up to the second floor from now on. Then he gave me a teasing little smile and asked, “You gonna be ok with that one?” I lifted the box and wondered when I had ordered a bag of cotton balls. Red faced, I told him I could handle it.
His name is Brett and since then, he has never left a package downstairs, even now during covid when he’s been run ragged. He leaves notes on boxes for me in big, black Sharpie and I leave him little treats: trail mix, water and even some Advil after a particularly heavy delivery.
You made my day. No YOU made mine!
Today, we actually ran into each other outside, which hasn’t happened since our initial meeting. It had been so long that we had to reintroduce ourselves. Before I could begin to thank him again for everything he does, he held his hand up to his chest and told me how much he appreciates me. And that he keeps a note from me on his fridge and looks at it every day with gratitude. I was floored! We chatted a bit about our Christmases and he asked about my plans for the day. I told him I was going to write about him! We snapped a quick socially distant selfie before he jumped into his truck and got back to work. My eyes welled with happy tears.
I’ve been feeling so disconnected lately
This was exactly what I needed to fill up my connection cup. I think everyone needs connection now more than ever and I’d like to help! Wayfair, World Market and Pretty Litter are places I shop that use FedEx. I can’t promise you’ll find your own Brett because he’s pretty much a unicorn, but who knows? There just might be a feel good moment brought to YOU by FedEx right around the corner!
Great story!! You haven’t changed a bit! Your attitude and love of life (even in shitty 2020) make me smile.
Thanks Christine! You just made me smile, so we’re even!
I love this!! And I can hear your voice reading this!!
I could have keot reading your story.
It seems ti me you and FedEx Brett were right there for each other when you both needed it.
What a wonderful story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Nellie, I love that you are pen pals with FedEx Brett!
I know – me too! I absolutely love random connections!
Love this story! I agree, connection right now is important! I had a similar connection with a USPS postal worker who knew me by name just from my apartment number! I was impressed!
I love that!! Thanks for reading, Carolyn. It means a lot to me. 🙂
Reading your blog for the first time! I love it! I love that you had the chance to even include FedEx Brett in a selfie!
Neat story but then ALL yours are pretty neat…
Thanks Dad! Life is kind of neat sometimes. 🙂
Love! These are the stories I love and need right now! I am missing me my VBFF! I absolutely adore that I can hear your voice, your quick witted-sarcastic-quirky-freak flag flying-love-the-whole-world-Noelle-ness in all of you writing! Thank you for sharing- I just love you! 😘
Quick witted-sarcastic-quirky-freak flag flying-love-the-whole-world-Noelle-ness … I think I just found my CB handle!
Side note: If you’re reading this AND were born after 1980, you might need some context. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnJEeHND_lQ
Thank you for reading!! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my stuff! You know how much you and your thumbs up mean to me! I love you infinity!
I’m glad your experience was pleasant. It’s amazing how someone’s act of kindness can truly make your day.
Nail on the head, Mom! I’d add to that one’s act of kindness toward others can make the day of both parties.
Be kind. Please rewind. 🙂
I’ve just developed a wee crush on your FedEx guy.
Truly humbled having you write a story about our interactions and happy to have you has a friend, thank you for this and can’t wait to write you more messages on your boxes lol 🙂
You’re the best, Brett!! I so appreciate you! 🙂
Great stuff! Keep it up.
~BMac ANC (friend of Romney’s)
Thanks so much, Brian! Any friend of Romney’s is a friend of mine! 😁
Fun story! In a year of disconnect, a wonderful story of a random connection! Just never know who drops into your life and brings snippets of joy!
So glad I got to read this! You are a great writer, funny and pure! I look forward to getting to know you more, as if we didn’t get pretty close during the past month in B’HAM
Love this story. I hear you about being so disconnected in 2020.