What Decorations? (A Family Christmas Memory)

It was just over a week until Christmas (last Friday). And as I was leaving work, a coworker of mine said, “Mike, where are the decorations? You’re usually the one that motivates us.” It was true. The “motivator” part, but moreso, no decorations in the office this year (except for my manger scene at my desk).

You must know the full context for impact. My industry is in the dumps. How it’s gotten there is besides the point. The fact is everybody isn’t really in the mood for celebrating. And so I didn’t put up the decorations (or motivate everyone else to). That is, until my coworker said what she said. It was like the Grinch’s heart growing three sizes.

The next morning I mentioned it to my wife and three kids that I was thinking we should go over to the office and decorate. My wife (who has the gift of helps) of course said, “Let’s go ~ now!” I said, “No, not yet. There’ll be somebody there. Let’s go tonight.”

And so we did. We went after dinner and decorated the office. It was decorated like it had never been decorated before. Because you see, it wasn’t just me doing it, but my family with me. And it was a surprise. You should have seen my three kids. I was so proud of them.

Do you think they’ll remember it? Oh, you bet they will.

On Monday morning I was asked, “Mike, who decorated the office?” I said, “Decorations? What decorations?”