Janet Hargrove worked her last day at the Qualicum Beach post office on January 2, after 40 years, almost to the day, helping people get their mail in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.
"Sometimes there were interesting things in the outgoing mail slot," she said of her memories. "The one that really stands out is the day I opened the mail box and a snake went (wiggle wiggle) right in my face."
She also found bats, fireworks and unspeakable items.
Asked what she'll miss, she said the people, and "I love sorting mail! I know that sounds awful, but I do!"
She'll also miss the routine but will not leave the job completely, sticking around to do contract work maintaining mail boxes and filling in on vacations. She also looks forward to babysitting her grandchildren more.