To the Editor,
I write this from the sands of time and for the many who have washed ashore in the paradise one calls Mattapoisett, “land of rest”. Let me say that my job here for many years has included more calls of duty than grains of sand on the beach. Terrible decision back in July of 2001 to place my stake in the dunes? Hardly!!! This has been a labor of love for 24 of my 30 postal years. From a pier in a Moor on a choppy surf to a guiding lighthouse on the peninsula during the dark fog of night, you all have provided my way to safe harbor.
We have been through many ebbs and tides. Some seen and some not so apparent. We have worked as a team to build this oasis enveloped in a landmass of uncertainty. Every Skipper needs a Gilligan to steer around the sandbars. I hope I’ve performed my duties (professional and personal) to the betterment of our small bay in the middle of an ocean. I’ve met so many great people in my “luxury cruise” around town. The people and the stories have equaled anyone’s travels thru seven seas. But I found treasure here, one that can’t be replaced nor pirated.
I’m blessed and always hope to serve (or work at what I lacked) for the many nautical miles in life. I have a crew that absolutely deserves respect, and I would hope you’d greatly support in our postal vessel. Others have performed their tour of duty also. You have, and have created, a spiritual compass that needs to be shared and enjoyed with your loved ones and others. There comes a chosen time when a ship’s captain needs to lift anchor and chart course among great vast of the horizons. After searching many leagues under the sea, it’s time for me to retire from the post office. It’s a difficult decommissioning requiring serious introspect. I have my health, trunk of doubloons, and sailor’s stories to continue my next port of call (reverend maybe?). I’m keep my dinghy nearby, but like Titanic’s “heart”, love caries on and on!
God bless and thank you.
Dennis Proulx
PS please take care of Salty the Seahorse and if you see that sea monster, call me.