Ode to the Modern-Day Milkman

The crunching of gravel on my driveway and a soft thump on the doorstep rouse me from my slumber. I groggily glance at my bedside clock. It is flashing 5:30 a.m. I turn away and nestle back into my warm cocoon. I smile to myself as I mentally cross an item off my endless to do list. Our family’s supply of milk has just been replenished. How organized and efficient I feel to be accomplishing chores from the comfort of my bed!

Several months ago, my life was feeling a tad more out-of-control than usual. It was the dead of winter and we were in the midst of a particularly cold spell. Although Muffy was already four months of age, I was still having difficulty adjusting to the increased responsibilities in my job description! The juggling act involved in meeting the needs of “two under two” was overwhelming and was taking its toll on me. Averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night, I was running on empty. It was a struggle to find a spare moment to wash my hair, let alone stay on top of my regular household duties.

Early one morning, while picking up the newspaper, I noticed a delivery truck pull into a neighbor’s driveway. Out hopped a cheerful looking man with an armful of dairy products. A light bulb immediately turned on inside my head. With two growing boys to feed, late-night milk runs were a common occurrence in our house. The idea of a regular and reliable supply of milk delivered directly to my doorstep seemed like an answer to my prayers. Without hesitation, I signed up that day for home delivery with Farmers Dairy. With just one quick phone call, I took a fairly significant step at simplifying my life.

In today’s fast-paced world, where past traditions and customs often fall to the wayside, it is heartening that the neighborhood milkman is still making his rounds. The romantic notion of a horse-drawn cart filled with glass bottles of farm fresh milk may be long gone, but our modern-day milkman is still providing a valuable service to today’s busy families.