On a serious note – All things Must Pass

   I get my parcels from a small husband / wife run  post office within walking distance from my home. Everyone who goes there is treated like family. The couple always smile at us, their clients, and at each other. One short visit reminds you  what’s good about life.
   Last week I urgently needed some stamps – some things it would seem still can’t be solved via email. I was surprised to see the door shut and a sign, bordered in black, stuck on  the window. The post office was closed due to the death of the owner. I realised then that I really knew nothing about him, or his wife. Just two great smiles cut off in mid-life, at an age when they should finally be enjoying themselves and spoiling their infant grandchildren.
    I had the occasion today to visit the post office again. My daughter had send me a birthday present via Amazon. To my surprise there was a long line of people standing outside, on the street. I waited in line quietly for about 30 minutes. In that time nobody complained. The newly widowed owner was running the operation solo and it was taking twice as long as usual, even though she was trying her best. The smile was gone and the scene was perhaps a little morbid. It reminded me of a Twilight Zone moment.
   Things will never be the same again. People will tell you that is the way of the world. All I could think of was how sad the whole thing was.