By Glenn Dromgoole

Some of you might remember Andy Garcia, who was the UPS delivery man in downtown Abilene for many years – more than 30, I think. He always brightened everyone’s day when he walked in with a package and a greeting: “Hello, my friend!”

He retired several years ago, but I still run into him from time to time, usually at the grocery store, and he greets me like I was a long-lost friend or relative. Invariably, we will spend time talking and laughing about something from the past. He’ll shake my hand at least five or six times before we part, and I walk away feeling a little better – about myself, about life — than I did a few minutes ago.

He is truly a man who is happy to be alive, and his joy is contagious. I’ve met his wife, his grown son, and his grown daughter, and they exude the same zest for life that Andy does.

I know almost nothing about Andy’s politics. We might or might not agree on everything. But that’s okay. His optimism, his positive outlook, his – that word again – joy make others feel more alive, more accepted, more worthy. His faith certainly shines through in the way he lives. I’m reminded of the chorus we sang as children, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine.”

Back before Andy retired, I wrote a little poem about him that tried to capture the influence he has had on so many:

Delivery With a Smile

He always has a smile on his face
and a cheerful greeting 
for the customers on his route.
He calls everyone “my friend”
and as a result everyone
thinks of him the same way.
Entire courses in customer service
could be condensed into one day
of just following him around.

Glenn Dromgoole’s latest book is A Few Encouraging Words. He and his wife Carol own Texas Star Trading Company, a downtown Abilene book, gift, and gourmet shop.