The Secret

My three-year-old granddaughter was so excited to tell me she had a secret. Then she giggled and said she couldn’t tell me it, because it was a secret.

I babysat her this past weekend, and she proudly presented me with about 20 little pieces of notebook paper, folded in half, and closed with princess stickers. I carefully opened each one. Inside she had colored big blue circle marks and added a few more stickers. She beamed when she told me she used a blue crayon because it was my favorite color. My heart was full, and my eyes teared.

The holidays seem to have many of us keeping secrets about the special gifts we’ve picked out for loved ones, and like my granddaughter, we can hardly wait to see the expression on their faces when they open those carefully chosen, or even hand-made, gifts.

It’s no secret that by having a profession that operates 24/7/365, many of you will have to work during the holidays. As a boss, I know how hard it is on you and your loved ones to miss out on the festivities.

I will tell you a secret though: Your presence is my present.

 Wishing you a safe and Merry Christmas.