A long road before me, on I81 A long week behind me, when Friday is done The highway that takes me to friends near and far, The highway, my driveway, at home in my car My house is still hours away in the gloom My house, it stands empty, no light in the room The neighborhoods glisten with twinkling lights The neighbors all listen to carols tonight And still, I keep driving in silence towards home And still, I keep thinking of Christmas alone My friends and their families, children’s faces aglow My friends have decorated trees with presents below I think of little faces, big eyes and bright smiles I remember the excitement I have not seen in a while I love those little children, their families, my friends I love to think of them when Christmas begins I decided, right then, with those thoughts in my mind I decided a tree was what I must find Some trees would have homes, ornaments and lights Some trees would be lonely, no family tonight I started my search for the ugliest tree The one no one wanted would come home with me I turned off the highway and into the lot My heart raced with excitement that once was forgot I ran to the steward of the large majestic pine And described the tree that soon would be mine “You don’t want that tree,” rebuked the young lad Then he proceeded to show me the best that he had “This tree is noble, it’s full and it’s green” “You better get it quick, before it is seen” I shook my head, before I turned away Someone sacked it and packed it, and started to pay “I don’t think that you heard me,” I told the young man “I want an ugly tree. Do you understand?” “We don’t have such a tree,” the boy reprimanded “Our trees are perfect, the ugly ones are stranded” I hoped back in my car, undaunted at best I could tell this adventure would put me to the test At the next stop, I encountered a more severe fate Reprimanded by the manager, a young man and his date At the third stop, the salesman, told me with a grin “The ugly trees were disposed of and thrown in that bin” At the fourth try, the sales man said, “don’t call me lazy” “But I’m not going searching for man who’s half crazy” The fifth and the sixth stops results were the same They showed me their best trees, claimed my quest was insane They all tried to tell why their trees were the best The tree that I wanted was not like the rest Some thought I was looking for a discounted tree, But price was no objection, for a companion ugly My anticipation waned, my enthusiasm guarded In hopes to find an ugly tree that had not been discarded On my seventh attempt, fiercely stuck to my plan I was greeted by a patient and elderly man He listened, he smiled and nodded his head “I have just what your looking for,” was all that he said We walked through a forest of wide trees and tall, We walked to a corner, away from them all And there in the darkness, laid flat on the ground Was the ugliest tree that this man had found “No charge,” he said, “for a tree gnarled and twisted” “I will pay for my tree, it’s great,” I insisted “Wait here,” he exclaimed, “it’s your day my son!” He came back with another, even uglier one. Then we strapped them both to the top of my car, We wrapped them in blankets, for the ride was still far And then to my home, where they stood side by side Decorated, and beautiful, and lit up with pride I awoke Christmas morning with the fresh smell of pine A gift from the trees, now companions of mine In the glow of the fireside, we three reminisced Of my childhood, of Christmas, and people we missed How happy I was with my fine company How happy they were to have a family We listened to carols, drank cocoa, and smiled We gave thanks to the day, celebrating a child The old year was ending, a good one well done My companions, reminders, Christmas is for everyone - Bill "Big Dog" Billups - Friend, Mentor, VIP Sales Guru ______________________________________________________ Words of Wisdom "A good conscience is a continual Christmas." - Benjamin Franklin "At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year." - Thomas Tusser "At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled mirth; But like of each thing that in season grows." - William Shakespeare ______________________________________________________ About the Author: John Mehrmann is a freelance writer and President of Executive Blueprints Inc., an organization devoted to improving business practices and developing human capital. www.ExecutiveBlueprints.com provides resource materials for trainers, sample Case Studies, educational articles and references to local affiliates for consulting and executive coaching. http://www.InstituteforAdvancedLeadership.com provides self-paced tutorials for personal development and tools for trainers. Presentation materials, reference guides and exercises are available for continuous development.
John Mehrmann is a freelance author, industry expert and President of Executive Blueprints Inc, an organization dedicated to developing human capital and personal growth.
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Christmas News 
