An Old Friend Comes To Visit....
It was late last Tuesday. The Sage was coming
back from town. As he neared his house, he saw the sleigh parked out behind
the house. Yep, it was Santa. He had come to sit a spell after his trip
down to The Heartland to take care of some business. The Ol' Sage invited
his long time friend into the house. They sat at the kitchen table, The
Sage got him some coffee. Santa looked really tired and frustrated.
It seems Santa had gone to the insurance office
to check on their new policy. According to the new addendum, he is allotted
only 30 seconds to get in and out of each house. Seems that the statistics
show that any more time increases the chances of a fall or fire. Looks like
a skimpy Christmas for lots of the children. He ain't a magician. How in
the world can he unload and place the gifts around the tree in such a short
time? Santa talked about one option he didn't want to see happen....maybe
just eliminate the big gifts! Now there's a nightmare! The issue isn't
settled...he's thinking of other options.
But that's not all. It happened last summer
that Santa began noticing a pain in his knee joint. He left the doctor's
office in September with a "handicapped" hanger. He plans to use it this
Christmas...on Rudolph's right ear. So, he will be able to park closer to
the chimney but, with his sore knee, he won't be any farther ahead on the
time schedule. Guess with the good news (his "handicapped" hanger) and
the bad news (his sore knee), it totals up to....same ol', same ol'!
But the problems go on...as Santa finished his
first cup of coffee and The Sage moved in with a refill. The good news at
the shop is that computer games and equipment are going to be under the tree
this year. The bad news is Santa had to bring in the Micro Elves. Itty
bitty little guys who work feverishly to make those Micro chips that are
so essential in the gifts. They have, like the other elves of the 90's,
clamored to their union about the lack of micro-elf accessibility at the
shop. Santa has added numerous additions including: 1. Transportation...a
flee love'n dog walking in circles around the shop; 2. Table accessibility....achieved
with Christmas ribbons running everywhere; 3. Shop security...accomplished
with readily available little tiny yellow umbrellas with bold "caution" signs
written on the top.
Will this be enough? Only time will tell. Santa
is trying to be nice to the Micro-Elves and there is Christmas music playing
in the shop at al times! He rejected the plan of subliminal suggestions
laced in the music.
But Santa's biggest problem was yet undisclosed.
The weight problem. It's finally gotten to the point that his HMO doctor
has also declared his extra poundage a problem. The doctor has asked Santa
to penalize any homes without a metal liner in their chimney...maybe a 20%
surcharge for any chimney that is yet only brick lined. Santa picked up
his billing pad today. Don't be surprised....just pay the bill within 30
days.
And with that, Santa had finished his second
cup of coffee. He sat back in his chair. The pressures of the job were
showing...even the curls in his beard seemed to be uncurling. He assured
the Sage he was going to make it through....but, as he put it, there are
just too many folks getting a "cut" or making decisions for Santa. Seems
like everyone has found a way to get a "piece of the action"....the Christmas
action. "If it keeps up, I'm going to have to give up the job." Santa added
as he gazed out the window at the handicapped sign hanging off of Rudolph's
ear.
The Ol' Sage was shocked. He had never heard
Santa talk that way. "You're the winner!" retorted the Sage. You know the
secret....one of the best kept ones! It's the secret of giving that we learned
many years ago from The Christ Child. The secret? There's lots more we
get in giving than those who receive the gifts. They play with them for
a few minutes and lay them aside. We get that Christmas gift that stays
with us for a life time...The gift of giving.
That 'Ol Sage knows what to say. That's what
Santa needed. He perked up. Even his beard seemed to snap into a "curly
mode". He took a lively step out of his chair and headed for the sleigh.
"Thanks for the coffee, advice and a little rest....Got to get back." He
jumped into the sleigh and cried out his usual commands....leaving with his
usual exiting line...."Have a Merry Christmas!". The Sage watched as the
Reindeer took charge. He noticed Rudolph. He was developing a limp. The
Sage thought to himself...."It sure is lucky he's got the hanger on his ear'".
The Sage walked back into the house feeling like he had just delivered a
great Christmas gift....helping Santa restore his purpose.
And, as you approach Christmas, you can learn
from Santa's experience....helping others is still our greatest reward during
this Christmas season.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas too and, what ever you do, don't click the blinking lights below.
