now that Christmas is over...

Published on: 1/7/2013

Little hard to tell when Christmas ended. There were probably many who thought is was over the night of the 25th. Not only is there a song about the 12 days of Christmas, but there are 12 days of Christmas!

Sunday, Fr. Curt told everyone that yesterday was the 12th day of Christmas, ending in Three Kings Day, the day more suited to gift-giving. That got me thinking. Since Sunday was the 13th day after Christmas when does one start counting? I looked it up and Christmas day is the first day of Christmas making Saturday the twelfth day, not Sunday.

But then again it depends on where you live. Today is Christmas Day for Russian Orthodox.

So where am I going with all this? Trying to avoid bragging, but wanting to mention something about my last several days of Christmas this year.

A few weeks back I was seen in the paper in Lorayne Ritt's column on the HOPE Thanksgiving Dinner and Auction. Managers at my company, ODW Logistics, notice these things. They, and I, have known ODW is a good fit for me. I enjoy helping others and the company, with their emphasis on family, teamwork, worklife balance, community... is a good place for me to be. (What they didn't know was the photo was taken while I was also helping serve the evening meal for the needy at Hope Center.)

This last week I was employee of the week locally at the same time I received a company-wide award. When I was company-wide Star of the Week I thought that was the pinacle. I was wrong. This GOTCH YA award means a lot more to me. I'm daily recognized when I do something well. Makes me feel good to work here. This award recognizes that I'm appreciated for things I do outside of work too.

I tried to tell them I was unworthy. That with the food drives and everything else we do for others that we all do our part to think of others, but maybe because of this blog I'm just more vocal about it.

To celebrate the beginning of a new year, I'd like to toot my own horn. Quoting a few lines from my district manager's award application:

Service to the community and his fellow employees. He was caught caring and doing something for the benefit of everyone but himself.

Everything that ODW... is all about. Brien brings the Christmas message to us and lives it 365 days a year. I am proud to know and work with him.

At the beginning, when we defined what we wanted this campus to be and the associated daily mojo, Brien Lee is the poster child of that concept. At the core of the friendly atmosphere we so deeply believe in, there is Brien Lee. It is possible to work hard and enjoy the experience.

I am fortunate to work with Brien and many others here in Waukesha.

Don S.

I can't tell you how proud I am to work here in Waukesha close to home alongside great people who recognize the positive things I do during the workday and outside of work. We should all be as fortunate. Thanks Don, Jon, Scott, Ryan, Jesse...

Merry Christmas everyone!