Page 77 - August Sun Rays_Text_01-57_proof_FinalTrim

All of my neighbors feel the
same about him. He is kind,
caring and concerned about

everybody.

– Dolly Nuse

Nuse broke her leg during a misadventure A warm, sunny day in Neighborhood 5 where hundreds of residents left cards,
while hanging a curtain rod. She says notes and snacks for their favorite mailman on his birthday.
that Hari went above and beyond for her.
neighbors forwarded the email to their big notes that said happy birthday. I got
“Mr. Hari hung the moon. When my leg neighbors, and those neighbors passed on hundreds and hundreds of cards. I was
was broken, I would wait for him in the the message to others and so on and so amazed. I was in tears. I never expected
foyer,” Dolly said, “I’d roll over to the door on. The next day, hundreds of people had anything like this. Nothing like this ever
and he’d bring me the mail. I sent a letter placed cards for Hari in their mailboxes. happened back in India. I’ve never been
to the postmaster, commending Mr. Hari. Somebody even baked him cookies. honored like this in any place I’ve lived.
%XW,QHYHUKHDUGEDFNIURPWKHP,ÀQDOO\ By the end of the day, people came out to
asked Mr. Hari if the postmaster received “It’s because of who he is. He cares about see me, getting all the cards. They gave
the letter. He said the postmaster did get everyone. We are his people. He wants me water, coffee. In my eyes, they are my
it. Then he said, ‘I don’t need recognition. to make a difference in our lives. The family.”
That’s not why I do this. Dolly, you have outpouring of participation was a total
to understand that you all are my mission surprise. Such a humble man. We don’t On that day, Hari knocked on Peggy’s
in life.’ I was blown away. I never thought want him to go anywhere,” Peggy said. door to personally deliver a birthday card
about helping the people around me as a from him to her, unbeknownst that she
mission, but I guess that’s what many of Hari’s birthday had started off poorly was the one who organized the birthday
XVGRLQRXURZQZD\+HGHÀQLWHO\FDUHV, with some stressful situations occurring surprise. Peggy didn’t tell him and hadn’t
appreciate him.” Hari also provided stellar at work. Hari worried that it would cast ever planned to, but he found out anyway.
mail service. a dark cloud over his day. Then he opened (A secret among hundreds is a short-lived
KLVÀUVWPDLOER[ one.) Later, Hari emailed Peggy to thank
Peggy Manning of Neighborhood 5 was her and sent along a note to forward to the
also quite impressed with Hari. When her “The first box had a note in it, “Hari community, expressing his appreciation and
husband was sick, Hari would make time said. “I didn’t know the person. We gratitude for the warm wishes and pledging
to check in on him. A friendship formed. hadn’t talked. I didn’t expect anything.
During a casual conversation, Peggy I thought it was random. One by one, I Continued on the next page
discovered that she and Hari shared a started opening the boxes. There were
birthday. She wanted to do something
QLFHIRUKLPEXWWKHSRVWRIÀFHKDVYHU\
strict regulations when it comes to giving
gifts or tips. Postal workers have to share
anything over $20 in value which can
PDNHÀQGLQJDVLQFHUHJLIWGLIÀFXOW3HJJ\
got creative.

She wrote an email to some of her friends
in the neighborhood, about 30 or 40 of
them, explaining that Hari’s birthday
was on Monday. She suggested that if
they had an extra birthday card lying
around to please consider putting it in the
mailbox for Hari and if they didn’t have
a card, just write him a nice note. Her

ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG AUGUST 2017 SUNRAYS | 75