And the Christmas card winner is…it looks like a tie

A couple hours ago, my mailman buzzed me from the lobby and I hurried down there, thinking it was a package of some sort.  Nope, it was this Christmas card with a good third of it missing, in a “We Care” sleeve from the Post Office.  Jim (my mailman) said “Doug... I’m real sorry.”  

I like Jim, he’s a decent guy.  He’s my age and has plans to retire next summer.  I thanked him, told him it was okay but still winced a little when I saw the handwriting on the envelope.  That’s from my Aunt Dena, she always includes a letter inside.  Yep, half of her words were shorn off!

Thirty plus years ago, I started this custom of bringing 1-2 Christmas cards from home into the office and displaying them on my desk.  It was always AFTER the holiday, and they were usually from my mom & Grandma Morris, who both took the time to include nice messages inside.  In the beginning, a few curious coworkers would ask why I did it, and I’d say “Oh, they’re this year’s winners of my Christmas card contest.”  

I don’t know why this became a thing, but the ladies in my office saw it as a competition, and every year I wound up displaying 10-12 cards on my desk until Martin Luther King Jr Day, or until my boss would come to me for something and say “Dougie… c’mon!”

Anyway… I’m a 60 year old man now, never married or had a family of my own, so the cards I get every year are what put me in the holiday spirit.  Three in particular stood out to me this year (besides that shredded card from Aunt Dena).   A card from Bobi E., a lovely Canadian who wanted to let me know she enjoyed my blog and included a cool smashed penny taped to the inside.  Thanks Bobi, that’s going to be my good luck charm this year! 

The second was from my (ultra conservative) dentist Dr. Shannon, dressed up as a Disney princess.  Ugh, her politics drive me batty—but she has to be one of the kindest, dearest people on this planet.  If anyone turned me to the Dark Side (you know, the GOP) it’d be her.

Third was from my former coworker Kimberly Hall, who I haven’t worked with since 1997, or seen since 2001.  Only one month apart in age, we became close friends from the first day we met.  I loved her then and still do, and what she wrote to me in this year’s card made me cry!  My God, what’s wrong with me?   I’m a basket case!

Seasons Greetings Everyone