A holiday favourite… with a twist.
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the place
The Optimax team had a smile on their face.
The stockings were hung from their desk tops with care
In hopes Christmas bonuses soon would be there.
The office, it sparkled with a red and green cheer
And everyone held festive spirit quite near.
It was almost time for the office to close
When the most unexpected occurrence arose!
From the front parking lot, there came such a clatter
Earl sprang from his desk to see what was the matter
Away to the window he flew like a dash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
Then what to his wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
He knew in a moment, it must be St. Nick.
And then in a twinkling Earl heard at the door
The tramping of boots and sleigh bells and much more
He walked into the lobby and the wind spun aroun
As through the front door, Saint Nick came with a bound
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how merry
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
The stump of a pipe he held in his teeth
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
“I’m afraid there’s no smoking” Earl started to say
But Santa brushed past him and nodded ‘this way’.
“Earl, my friend, it’s you I’ve come to see
For a benefits plan for my elf family.
“I need your best plan and it must be a cinch
I hear that the elves have been calling me… Grinch”
Yes, they’re hard-working, they’re loyal and they’re kind
Benefits would give us all peace of mind.”
“The Grinch? Oh my goodness, well that just won’t do!”
And luckily Earl knew just what to do.
He pulled out his pencil, computer and phone
And contacted all the best folks he had known.
And before Santa knew it, a plan was in place
He could see the excitement across Earl’s face.
“The elves will love this, so will Mrs. Claus too.
Even your reindeer will thank you, it’s true!
Santa spoke not a word as he started to read
And as he finished, he seemed pleased indeed
“Earl, you’ve done it!” he said with a whistle
Then he flew out the door like the down of a thistle.
Earl heard his exclaim, as he drove out of sight
“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a… “
Earl sat up with a start. His wife turned to look at him.
“Earl,” she said, lifting her head from the pillow, “is everything alright?”
For a moment, he looked around at the familiar dark room, the clock radio with the soft green numbers glowing “3:05” and the bright moonlight filtering in past the curtains.
“Alright?” he asked. “It’s better than alright. I think I just saved Christmas!”
There was a moment of silence before Terry said, “Didn’t I tell you not to have that third helping of cabbage rolls?” She turned over and in a matter of moments, was snoring softly.
Earl lay back down on the pillow with his hands under his head. Okay, so maybe he hadn’t saved Christmas, but there were many days when he felt a bit like Santa himself, helping people bring joy and peace of mind to their staff. As he began to drift off, he thought about the dream once again. A smile crept to his face and somewhere, off in the distance, he could hear the faintest tinkling of sleigh bells.
Earl and the staff at Optimax Benefits would like to wish you and your family all the love, peace and tranquility of the festive season.
Have a safe and relaxing holiday and a joyous New Year.
Photo courtesy of Roberta Nickson on Unsplash
