For me, there are two kinds of days.  Mail-Days and No-Mail Days.  Getting out of bed is twice as hard on No-Mail Days, because it means there's not even a chance of getting "real" mail.

The finality and non-negotiable nature of knowing it's not even a possibility just makes the day feel less fun.  You know what I am talking about, right? 

The truth is you might rarely get "real" mail (anything hand-addressed, but not business related) from family and friends, anyway.  But at least it is possible...conceivable...plausible.  Not on No-Mail Days.  No, on No-Mail Days the post office is closed, meaning there's not a snowball's chance in #&!! that you'll get anything - let alone something hand addressed.

Life is definitely a little less fun on No-Mail Days.

This week's Yellow Envelope Project recipient, Susan, strikes me as being a little like a Mail-Day.  People living in her corner of the world love the possibility of running into this vibrant and positive woman.  Life is more pleasant because of the chance interaction you might get to have with her.  The truth is church might be busy, her attention possibly diverted, or you might not cross paths one week.  But, the sheer prospect of seeing Susan still conjures up feelings of warmth and anticipation.  Void of that possibility, life is a little less fun.

Susan must become less involved at church than she has been in the past, meaning fewer Mail Days for those who have grown so accustomed to seeing Susan regularly.  Take a look at what our nominator had to say: 

"Susan took over the nursery at the church about a year ago. She runs the childcare for the regular Saturday/Sunday mass schedule as well as the weekly Mother's Morning Out program. Every time you see her, she has a beautiful smiling face and asks about YOU! She turned the church nursery into a well oiled machine! She's always organized, handles herself with such poise, and makes everyone want to be a part of the program. She recently found out she has some medical issues that are going to prevent her from being able to run the program any further. She will be greatly missed and irreplaceable. Her oldest daughter is leaving for college in a few weeks and she, herself, will be undergoing some surgery and other medical treatments. I know she could use some bright sun-shiney envelopes in her mailbox! She shines as a mother, wife, nursery director, and friend. I will miss seeing her."

It seems more than appropriate that we should flood the mailbox of this woman who, to so many people in her community, is like the perfect Mail-Day.

How about it?

Participating is easy.  Simply take ten minutes and write a short note letting Susan know that her presence is felt.  Let her know she shines, because of the interest she has shown in transforming the church nursery, as well as the interest she has shown in the church members themselves.  Seal it in a yellow envelope (or a white envelope decorated with yellow markers and stickers).  Place the words, "Yellow Envelope Project" in the return address and send to the address listed below.

Commit to mailing Susan her note before next Saturday when meet again to recognize another deserving recipient.

Power the Planet with Shine - one person at a time.  Tell Susan that her big contribution in her small corner of the world makes a difference.  Your single piece of mail, when combined with all of ours, will most certainly create the Perfect Mail Day for this deserving woman.

Shining off until Monday...