Something for the Journey
 Rev. Denise Cawley, Membership Administrator
Long ago, I encountered a mailman whose smile could change my entire day. He could lift up anyone by putting wild enthusiasm into his wave. A grin would come across his face when he saw me so wide his ears moved up an inch on his head. How did he know me, I wondered?
I saw him over and over as his route was by my son’s school. He always stopped and said hello with an exuberance that reminded me of Sesame Street. I thanked him for his incredible enthusiasm. He would always say, ‘shouldn’t we all act this way, our children are watching after all.’
Wow, I would think, shaking my head. Mike’s energy was infectious. I can still see his whole body transform with animated sunshine as he greeted me. It was sunshine even on the coldest Wisconsin mornings.
Later I learned, I wasn’t the only one who experienced his energy. He was known for his wildly enthusiastic greetings. Years later, when I would find myself in that neighborhood again, I would run into Mike and see him greeting more people. He always acted like he remembered me. Wow that was lovely I would think.
Then Mike announced he was retiring. NOOOOOOO!!!
As you can imagine this news spread throughout the neighborhood. Then I started seeing social media for Mike the mailman. TV interviews followed for a month or two. Then a block party, mayoral awards, Mike Day, kids dressed like Mike. Someone made a special mailbox for Mike. Letters – thousands of letters poured in for Mike. Indeed, everyone was going to miss him. Everyone noticed. Awards rolled in from across the city.
How do some people do this? They lift everyone with their incredible joy they bring to the most simple presence, gratitude, joy and beauty they share in all they do. It is pure magic. They spread posies in every canning jar or leftover recycled hot sauce bottle. They make you feel seen.
In ministry, the UUMA has often been like Mike. Even when it was just an email about a Zoom account, there was something human about it. UUMA staff have been kind when I felt like others did not see me. In ministry, it has been the UUMA that felt like a group of people who had humanizing messages, sunshine in snack boxes and support when I wanted to bring silent disco to Ministry Days or I needed a coach to help me navigate the oceans of ministry. I respected this team and wanted to work with them. I hope in my time here, I can be a little like Mike with my energy, my smiles, or bringing more color into the days of the folks I encounter (perhaps with more photos and art). Talking and corresponding with members has been one of my favorite parts of working here so far. It might only be a note about your invoice, but I hope I can be a net positive in this journey while I am here.
 Mike the mailman had a ministry of joy and in retirement celebrations, he was surprised by what a difference he made. I have heard comments like this from the retirees I get to talk to here at the UUMA when I move their memberships to Life Member status. They too are surprised by what a difference they have made in all of us. Like Mike, many of them also listened with an open heart and acted like children were watching. May UUMA events, online gatherings and chapters give all of us that same opportunity to bless one another with a spark of joy or kindness.
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Do you have expertise with map-making programs? The UUMA is collaborating on some important immigration justice work that requires that we identify where our people are more active in this part of the resistance. Please 
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