A package by Sue Robin

I share Sue’s feelings about receiving packages and appreciate her exploration of what has become a highlight in many of our stay-at-home days and weeks.

Key Pence aide, married to top Trump adviser, diagnosed with coronavirus—Reuters

Stocks surged on one of the unhappiest days in American economic history—WaPo

May 8, 2020

A package
by Sue Robin, Los Angeles, California

A package delivered to one’s home makes it seem like a gift. Something to open, or break a nail trying. Since I was a wee small one, I have loved receiving mail. A letter from my Grandma Bessie in New York or my Uncle Joe who wrote with a Yiddish accent just as he spoke. When my Mom received a letter from our Uncle Walter, she would share it with all of us. They were always filled with humor and love. Packages were the ultimate surprise. One year at holiday time, my dad received a box of filet mignon from a business associate. I thought that was amazing, that they could even send food without it spoiling.

In this somewhat bizarre world, there are frequent deliveries. They aren’t filled with as much mystery as in the days of my youth for I have ordered them myself, and yet they still elicit the same glee. Still hidden from you upon arrival and able to trigger that small element of surprise as one wonders, Is it the nail files or the paint?  Even our groceries are dropped at the door. There is still a bit of excitement, even though it is our very own grocery list. Did they finally have flour in stock? Uh oh, mild pork sausage instead of spicy turkey. Still no paper towels. Darn I forgot to put lettuce on the list.

Anything that would normally trigger the comment: “Oh, we’ll pick that up when we are out and about” is now brought to us via Amazon. No nail files that have any emery left—just order some. Need paint for the deck project—it will be delivered in two days. The soap dispenser bottle was broken one day and replaced the next. I do try to bundle things together, but things happen and all of sudden there are several things on order. Is it worse to have all this extra packaging and trucks running up and down the hill, or using our gas running up and down the hill to several different places?

No matter, we will be sheltering in place for a while longer. We will continue to do our part for the greater good of all the people in our city by remaining at home, recycling and reusing the packaging, while Amazon and the market will continue to provide a little bit of joy and keep us well supplied with groceries and the things of life.