ROCKLAND — In a small corner of the world — Cedar Street, Rockland, Maine, U.S., Planet Earth — a heartfelt appreciation by residents of their mail carrier evolved into designating the last Wednesday in March as “Sunshine Mailman Day.”

There’s not real reason for this, but for one big reason: The people who live on Cedar Street, a residential road that runs between Old County Road and Main Street, like their mail carrier, Sean, and they want to honor him.

In unsettling times when folks are sequestered in their homes, the daily appearance of the mailman lends consistency and a familiar presence to the neighborhood routine.

For resident Nancy Warren, the mail carrier known to the neighborhood as “Sean” is a friendly face, out and about, lending normalcy to Rockland life.

In honoring him, Cedar Street leaves him notes in the mailbox on Wednesdays, or other small gestures of gratitude.

It’s not a big deal, but the connection between a neighborhood and its mail carrier represents the essential goodness of humanity finding its way through an historic, and troubling, moment in history.

“Sean is a great carrier, and thinks the world of his customers,” said Rockland Postmaster Chris Choate. “We appreciate their support all the time, and especially now.”