Twas The Night Before Christmas

It looks like this may become a perennial favorite. I posted it last year and thought it was time to revive it again this year. Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy (and safe) New Year!

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
This troubled leader was stirring, annoying the mouse.
As things move along will the employees still care
This new and bold vision, will we ever arrive there

I so wanted to relax, get snug in the bed
But fear of the unknown danced in my head
My wife with her book, and me with my Mac
Hoping to settle down for long winter’s nap.

When there in my task bar, I saw an icon
Into my inbox an email had gone.
“Bad news” my mind thought in a flash,
“We must have done something to lose some cash”.

As the light from the screen gave off a soft glow,
I pondered and hoped it’s something I already know.
When what to my wandering eyes should appear,
But a message of thanks and tidings and cheer.

The address was strange, but still quite familiar
I knew in a moment it must be Jill from HR.
Surprised by how this message to me came
I was shocked and humbled as I read all the names.

There was Jason and Margie and Angie and Jack,
And the intern from marketing who has that thing on his back.
From the people downstairs to the folks down the hall,
I read through the names and it included them all.

Possibly cruel, possibly kind,
“What’s in this message?” entered my mind.
So to the “Read email” link I went,
To finally know just what was sent.

With a move of my hand and a deftly placed click,
The message opened, although I felt sick.
I wasn’t quite sure of just what to expect,
For a moment in time, I was a bit of a wreck.

There were pleasant reminders of the year gone by
Pictures from parties like the 4^th of July.
A collection of colleagues and friends, what a sight!
This was beginning to turn into a quite pleasant night.

The message was crafted with such effort and thought,
I felt I was receiving so much more than I ought.
The pictures were nice and whisked me away,
To happy times, each a very special day.

The tip of my pen, I held tight in my teeth,
As these thoughts encircled my head like a wreath.
The message was clear and touched my heart,
It reached out and grabbed me from the very start.

“We know you work hard”, the message began,
“With grace and poise and an attitude ‘We Can’”
“You care about us, and it really shows”
“We sent this message because we want you to know.”

“We want to say thanks for a year spent with you”
“Our work is much more pleasant because of all you do”
“Keep up the good work and never despair.”
“When things get tough, we’ll always be there.”

I closed my computer with a smile on my face,
I could now rest in a peaceful place.
“I’m the most fortunate leader”, I said to my wife.
“Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.”