Unexpected joy in a Pittsfield UPS driver’s blog

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — UPS driver Jeremy Squires loves his job.

For 20 years, he has been delivering packages in the western Massachusetts city of Pittsfield and he has a real passion for the people he serves.

“I have a connection with my customers that is unlike no other,” Squires explains. “I really have a passion of going to work every day and seeing these people. They bring joy to my life and I like to think I bring joy to their life as well.”

Jeremy is not exactly hiding his joy.

In fact, he has been writing about his customers on Facebook.

And people, forced indoors by the Coronavirus, are following along on Jeremy’s Facebook page.

Along the way, Jeremy has introduced us to eccentric people like, “Bob,” a local character that Jeremy once watched attract a flock of birds to his outstretched arms.

“I thought he was Jesus for a minute! I couldn’t believe my eyes. True Story!” Jeremy exclaims.

Later, “Bob” revealed to Jeremy this was no miracle, but instead, a nice use of concealed birdseed.

Still, Jeremy writes on.

And each entry begins with a simple phrase: “Today I choose love. Today I chose hope.”

“I choose to bring a good attitude everywhere I go,” Jeremy explains. ”I have a great opportunity as a driver to be out there in the world spreading some joy right now.”

And it’s very much a two-way street.

The Coronavirus has reduced restaurants everywhere to take out only.

But that hasn’t stopped Sabrina and Chin at Flavours of Malaysia from donating food to local soup kitchens or offering Jeremy a meal.

“These people are blessings in our community and we’re blessed to have people like them,” Jeremy says.

For many UPS customers, Jeremy is a real lifeline.

On Thursdays, Jeremy delivers life-saving heart medication to his customer Mike.

But Jeremy doesn’t just deliver packages.

He tries to get to know his customers too.

Mike, for example, is a prominent artist in the Pittsfield area.

“Mike loves to paint,” Jeremy tells me. “His art will pop up on you in the most unlikely places in downtown!”

It turns out, Jeremy has his own art: the old-fashioned art of conversation.

As Jeremy drives his big, brown truck along his route, he engages people, and he tells us about them.

Jeremy Squires is bringing his community together.

And in this time of anxiety, fear, and depression over the Coronavirus, it is clear this UPS driver is bringing so much to so many.

“When I show up at the door, I’m the one piece of normalcy that these people are getting,” Jeremy explains.

“One by one, if I can change the minds and hearts of one person, put a smile on their face: accomplished!” Jeremy adds.

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