New Year's Eve 2021
Friday 31st of December 2021
Dear Dr. X,
As you must have realised, I didn't end up deserting my post, my duties or my husband. I didn't escape to my well-deserved holiday... I couldn't bring myself to abandon Kris. Nor you, the People.
As I said before, Kris is not a bad bloke. I love him, God help me. I couldn't bring him sadness and distress. He is so oblivious, he wouldn't have understood my sudden desertion. And I couldn't bring such sadness to the world on such a magical night. I cannot blame you for being ignorant.
But this doesn't mean I have let it go with Kris! I have put my foot down, by putting my feet up. The elves and I finished the season in time, everything was ready and we sent Kris to deliver the gifts. But I did not cook the big meal this year. Instead, I ordered in from Uber. And even though was cold by the time it got here, it was a happy time nonetheless. The elves and I did not wait for Kris to eat. As I mentioned before, he gets his fill of treats on his tour anyways.
When he finally came back home, I was fast asleep in our bed. The next day, he gently expressed his surprise and asked me what was wrong. So he and I had a long, stern talk. I have you to thank for that. I was quite reticent at first, when you advised it to me. I didn't want to seem ungrateful to the world, or greedy for praise, or disgraceful towards my duties... But he did not react like that at all. I guess I am my own worse critique...
He started by apologising for not realising how much I had been working, how much the elves and the reindeers worked all year round as well. He promised he will help out more. And then he confessed his own insecurities, complaints and failings. Him, the forever merry, gleeful, festive, jovial, gleeful and jolly man. My Kris... He has his sufferings too.
We decided to change a few things around here. First of all, he will be more included in the workload of the year. Then I myself will be included in his rehearsals. I will give him advice, reassurance, notes. We also decided to observe a strict 40-hour work week, not a single minute overtime for any of us. The elves were so kind to gift us with a few workplace and wellbeing reference books. It made me laugh but I also intend on observing and applying the advise given in them so we have a healthy work/life balance, and a positive work environment.
We also agreed that January will not be the miserable month of reading and replying to the complaint mail. Alabaster Snowball and Bushy Evergreen have set up a computer system where if a letter is from an ungrateful, spoiled, complaining person, it is automatically send back to the sender. We will not read through them, making us happier and less anxious with the negative feedbacks. However, the system is capable of sorting through the happy thank yous, constructive criticism and suggestions. We keep though but only read them in February.
You see, from now on, January is our official 'off' month. Kris and I will be choosing a destination each year and we will finally visit the world. The elves have the same allowance so they each can decide where they want to visit.
I am very excited! I will get to visit the world, not through the screen of my computer as I studiously scrutinise the market. And Kris will get to see the world and actually have time to enjoy it. None of this rushing through the snows and winds, reaching the whole world in just the one night. It will be good for the both of us. For all of us.
Oh I cannot wait for tomorrow. Our suitcases are packed and we are ready to leave for the Bahamas.
There will be a lot for us to do when we come back, but for now, we leave it in the workplace, no room for it on our vacation. We won't think about nothing but the present moment. When we come back, Kris promised he will help us in the factories, and myself in the office. He will also attend the language, geography and culture lessons, as well as participate in the tending to and training of the reindeers. He also asked me to be involved in his performances, as I mentioned earlier, which I am honoured to do. He promised me from now I will come on the sleigh with him to do the delivery with him. Who knows, you might spot me through your window this year.
You will laugh about this: he gave me a present this year. I think he could sense something was wrong even before the dinner eaten without him and the not staying up, or the conversation the next day. He must have known because he left a pack with my name under our tree.
Bless him! It is a red and green sweater with frills and patterns. It is such an ugly thing, it should become a trend! He thinks he's hit the mark with it, on the card he had written: "I know how much you like these colours and I thought you'd enjoy the patterns". He thinks I am always wearing the Christmas bright colours because I like them. But I actually hate them! I only wear them as a uniform of sorts. We need to keep our image!
My favourite colours are actually turquoise shades of blue/green and warm yellows. Those colours would go perfectly with my piercing blue eyes eyes and long white hair. A top with those colours and maybe some black leather pants... That's what I imagine myself wearing when I daydream... I know it sounds quite wild, but I always loved the rockers' looks. Those black leather pants! My goodness, what a look! I am sure they wouldn't look as good on me as they do on the singers, but hey! you only live once, right?
And it is high time we start living for ourselves. I am allowing the over-achiever, the ball of anxiety and stress, the busybody to rest and recuperate. Kris and I, we don't know who we are if we are not 'Santa Klaus' and 'Mother Christmas'. We intend to find out. This trip will help us discover that. I am sure of it.
Until next time, Dr. X, yours truly,
Carol Klaus
Comments