Dear Disgruntled Man at the Post Office:

Yesterday, while standing in the mile-long line while waiting to get my five books of stamps, I noticed you, a tall man in a long black trench coat. It seemed you were a business man, clearly in a hurry, as you continued looking at your watch impatiently. The poor postal workers were making the best out of a bad situation. One computer terminal down, a line out the door, and rapidly approaching Christmas on the horizon. Several impatient customers, three young children, and forty minutes later, you were still standing in that line, as was I.

You may remember there was that one little girl. Come on, now, I know you remember. She's the one who was standing there with her daddy, the man who was having a very difficult time getting that package off to its destination. Remember, the one who hit her head on the counter? Ah...now I see it's all coming back to you.

Her daddy was busy trying to fill out forms so he could get his Very Important Package to wherever it needed to go, and he didn't have much ability at that moment to console his crying daughter. My heart went out to them both, because it's not easy when your child has a meltdown in the middle of a crowded place and you just can't seem to make him or her stop!

What I would like to say to you is this: It would appear that, from the twisted looks of disgruntlement and impatience on your face, that you do not have children. I would like for you to know that those of us who have children do not appreciate individuals like you who roll their eyes, grunt, snort, and make irritating sounds simply because you are seemingly being inconvenienced by a crying child. Believe it or not, you were once a young child who probably did your share of crying when you had an owie, had to stand in a mile-long line in the middle of the lunch hour and/or naptime, or just maybe, you chose to throw fits because you were in that kind of a MOOD. I know it's hard to imagine, since you seem to have such an amicable personality.

So, sir, the next time you're somewhere and find yourself in the midst of a crying child, try to be understanding. We moms and dads are doing the best we can...even when surrounded by people like you.

P.S. I almost forgot....Merry Christmas.