SETTING PRIORITIES

I left the office and drove along the highway, occasionally glancing to my left at the mesmerizing Pacific coast beyond the blur of the white picket guardrail. As I watched the pounding surf define the sand and lash against boulders blanketed with pale barnacles, I replayed the scene from work over and over again in my mind. Although Christmas was still a month away, holiday season cheer had infected the workplace as if Love One Another arrows from Cupid's magical quiver had skewered the employees. This became even more evident when my boss, Henry Bates, gathered the entire crew onto the main floor of the plant shortly before lunch.

"You all know that I've been looking for a vice president for months now," he began, "and it's obvious you've all been antsy as 5-year-olds on Christmas morning, wondering whom I was going to promote."

He looked at me, smiled, then turned to the rest and announced that I was his choice.

"Me?" I said, stunned and caught completely off guard.

"Yes you," Henry replied. Everyone began clapping and cheering me on. My mind filled with wonder as I contemplated my new position and the duties expected of me. After letting everyone go home early, Henry approached me and assigned me my first task as the new vice president.

"There's someplace I need you to go right now," he explained.

I drove away from the plant 10 minutes later; en route to the place Henry had instructed me to go. My heart raced with excitement as I pulled off the coastal highway and into the city. Finally, I reached my destination and walked inside the house.

"Daddy, daddy!" William and Sarah squealed in glee when they saw me. I crouched down to greet my children and squeezed them tight when they jumped into my arms. Sniffing like a curious connoisseur I could smell the heavenly aroma of a roasting turkey permeating the house.

"You're home early," said my wife, Emily. I stood up, still holding William in one arm and Sarah in the other.

"Hey, it's Thanksgiving," I said. "Henry wouldn't let us stay if we wanted to."

I would not tell Emily of the promotion until the next day. I was very thankful for that opportunity but even Henry understood that the new job meant nothing to me if I couldn't be with my family first. I was fortunate to work for a man who truly understood what Thanksgiving means.

THE END

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