Below is the entry I wrote in our neighborhood’s jumbo card (front, inside, back, envelope and placement) for our retiring postman, Chuck Fraijo. Along with the card, we gave Chuck a bottle of wine for each decade that he delivered the mail to our neighborhood.

Dear Chuck,

I’ve spent almost two decades trying to facilitate and catalyze greater neighborhood cohesion through the use of technology. It is not at all easy – so many facets of modern life work against it, such as the pressures of time and money, TV and the Internet, ever lengthening commutes, and finally, generational change in habits and outlook.

But then I think of YOU! You are the ONLY person we all know, we all trust, and we all admire. In many respects, you Chuck are the common thread, the glue of this neighborhood we all love, and you are an important part of why we love it.

You will be missed but not forgotten, and I hope you will join us for a toast to you and your remarkable career at our next block party.

THANK YOU!

Vivek