A Christmas Tale

This is one of my favorite memories of a Christmas past. I used Scenic Route paper (garland) and the sticker in the bottom right corner is from a set of epoxy stickers I got at Target quite awhile ago. The lettering is done with the Doodlebug cartridge on the Cricut.

The story goes like this: It seems especially fitting that this year I write about this particular Christmas memory. Right now, so many people are losing their jobs and fighting to stay in their homes and keep food on the table. Although we both have good jobs now we remember a time not so long ago when times were tough at the Larsen house.
In 1992, the San Diego economy was in turmoil. Our area was dependent upon the Navy and other military outlets for jobs. Mark had worked in government defense contracts for over 10 years. He was laid off when defense contracts evaporated following the fall of the Berlin Wall. We call this time the “car selling years” in Mark’s career, a time he (as well as the rest of the family) would just as soon forget. That time meant long hours for Mark away from his young family for very little pay and no benefits. What little free time he had was spent pouring over want ads and sending out endless streams of resumes. There were very few employers interviewing for positions and even fewer that were hiring.
Very near Christmas of 1993, Mark went on an interview, his first in months. He seemed very quiet and unenthusiastic after it was over. Little did anyone, including me, know that he had not only been offered the job but had accepted the position and was to start right after Christmas. That sneaky devil waited all through Christmas until just before dinner on Christmas night. Our entire family had arrived as well as our good friends, the Stevenson family. As everyone was basking in the glow of the tree, Mark set the mood by quietly pouring champagne and sparkling cider for all and making sure, everyone had something to toast with, including the little kids. Very calmly and without a hint of excitement in his voice, he asked everyone to raise their glasses in a toast to the future. As everyone raised their glass, he couldn’t help but break out into the biggest smile as he announced that he had landed the job.