Glass half full: On July 23, I drove down the long driveway of my new home, stopped at the road, looked both ways, and turned right toward the library. Instantly, I noticed my mailbox missing, as well as that of my neighbor.

Having just moved in two months prior, I was furious. Was there no place I could move and feel secure?

I called the Post Office and was informed that the mail had already been delivered with no return mail. Being new to the area and not wanting to bother 911 with such a trivial matter as a post box, I drove to the fire station to get the non-emergency number for the police. The firefighters on duty came out immediately to see if I needed help.

Since I had to wait to receive a return call from the sheriff, I decided to do a bit of investigating. I drove down the street to see if other mailboxes were stolen, but no — not one. So, I pulled over next to my mailbox post, standing there looking quite naked without its adorning top. It became clear almost instantly what happened: My mailbox and the neighbor’s post were both lying in the ditch.

After fetching the box out of the ditch, I went back to the fire station to see if an accident had been reported, or if those on duty had heard anything. Three burly firemen came out to meet me once again. No accident had been reported nor sound of an accident heard. It was puzzling and, as I stood there dazed, lost in my thoughts about how someone could run down two mailboxes in the middle of a sunny day, the firemen asked if I had the box with me. After coming to my senses and getting the box out and letting them look at it, they asked if I had any way to reattach it to which I said, “No, I’ll figure it out somehow.” They all lit up as the captain offered to reattach the box onto my post for me.

I was as floored by their gesture as I was furious that someone had initially bowled down two post boxes without saying a thing. What began as an affront to common decency, or at least common sense, turned into one of the kindest gestures I have ever experienced.

I was new to the area and, although shaken by the event of having my post box ripped off its post, those three men at North Kitsap Fire & Rescue in Kingston quelled my angst and earned my deepest respect. They deserve to be hailed as ambassadors of good will for the town of Kingston.

Thank you, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, and those firemen for being gentle men.

Kathryn Kenyon
Kingston