1 month ago
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Darrell Montgomery showed up rain or shine for more than 30 years for his neighborhood deliveries.Now, those neighbors are showing up for him as the mail carrier gets ready to retire."He gives his heart in his work," said Shanna Blackwell. "We have felt his love; we have felt very cared for by him."Montgomery has been a postal worker for 34 years in Baltimore, Maryland. Those living in the Hunting Ridge neighborhood are lining the streets with signs wishing him well in his retirement."It makes me feel really great to see the little signs," Montgomery said.Danny Blackwell said people who do their jobs with excellence should be celebrated."I think we should look for the grace in people's lives in a world that can often feel so bleak, especially during the holiday season," Blackwell said.Montgomery said once his retirement is made official in January, he will travel and spend time with family. He has put in a lot of miles on this job."I go through shoes every three to four months. I walk 17 miles a day, something like that," Montgomery said. "I really enjoyed this career."And the people he met through the years think he's fantastic.Shanna and Danny Blackwell said he was there with them when they went through some major losses while trying to have children. "My wife and I have had eight losses, and Darrell has seen firsthand about four of those losses. And he sat with us, he allowed us to cry, and shared about how he's experienced loss in his own life with some grandchildren. And we've been able to mutually encourage one another," Danny Blackwell said.They also pray together."I'm going to miss the people. They are like family," Montgomery said.
BALTIMORE —
Darrell Montgomery showed up rain or shine for more than 30 years for his neighborhood deliveries.
Now, those neighbors are showing up for him as the mail carrier gets ready to retire.
"He gives his heart in his work," said Shanna Blackwell. "We have felt his love; we have felt very cared for by him."
Montgomery has been a postal worker for 34 years in Baltimore, Maryland. Those living in the Hunting Ridge neighborhood are lining the streets with signs wishing him well in his retirement.
"It makes me feel really great to see the little signs," Montgomery said.
Danny Blackwell said people who do their jobs with excellence should be celebrated.
"I think we should look for the grace in people's lives in a world that can often feel so bleak, especially during the holiday season," Blackwell said.
Montgomery said once his retirement is made official in January, he will travel and spend time with family. He has put in a lot of miles on this job.
"I go through shoes every three to four months. I walk 17 miles a day, something like that," Montgomery said. "I really enjoyed this career."
And the people he met through the years think he's fantastic.
Shanna and Danny Blackwell said he was there with them when they went through some major losses while trying to have children.
"My wife and I have had eight losses, and Darrell has seen firsthand about four of those losses. And he sat with us, he allowed us to cry, and shared about how he's experienced loss in his own life with some grandchildren. And we've been able to mutually encourage one another," Danny Blackwell said.
They also pray together.
"I'm going to miss the people. They are like family," Montgomery said.
English (US)