Theresa "Terri" Bahlinger of Virginville, Berks County, said a tearful goodbye to her fellow employees at the Kempton Post Office July 31.

The community presented her with cards and gifts to thank her for helping them with postal needs over the past 18 years.

Before that, Bahlinger put in 18 years with the Virginville Post Office.

When she was 22, she heard there was an opening there.

She took the Civil Service exam and was hired. Kempton was short-handed on clerks and she would go there to fill in at times.

When they had an opening, she applied and made the move.

There were two, 3-1/2-foot by 3-1/2-foot window areas filled with cards in the post office lobby – and they are not the usual retirement cards of "We'll miss you, or "Good luck in your retirement."

Residents and customers thought enough of her to take the time to really write a small letter with their cards.

Postmaster Kai Kayser described them as humorous, touching and very sincere.

Bahlinger wrote a long letter addressed to the Kempton Post Office.

Kaysen enlarged it so it could be read by those who sent cards and gifts.

One of the gifts was a year's membership at Hawk Mountain.

It was tie-dye day and everyone wore colorful shirts to make Bahlinger feel more comfortable, Kaysen said.

Bahlinger made her own the night before the retirement party.

She said her husband complained it would make a mess in the house, but she said it was an outdoor project.

"Everyone needs a little tie-dye in their life," Bahlinger said.

Kaysen said they ordered good weather for the day and got it, but the next day it would return to hot.

"You've received a lot of really nice cards and I'm adding one more," Kaysen said.

Bahlinger, who was asked why she did not open it immediately, said she wanted to wait because she would cry again.

She was asked how many hours she worked in a week.

"Anywhere from four to 44 but on an average 20 to 30," she replied.

Lucy Muth, who retired five years ago, came in and gave Bahlinger a hug.

"You're going to make me cry," Bahlinger said, and cry she did but happily.

David Bond, who retired 10 years ago, also brought best wishes for Bahlinger.

Muth looked around the post office.

"This hasn't changed much," she noted.

Bahlinger said she started to read the cards in the lobby and they were heartfelt.

Kaysen gave her a service award for her 36 years with the U.S. Postal Service.

When it was time to cut the cake Terri got the piece with a huge yellow icing flower.

Bahlinger said her plans for the future include fishing at the beach and traveling with her husband and family.