The Faraway Land (2000)

Standing in solitude

At the edge of the great Canyon,

I looked out across a wide expanse.

In the distance, I could see the faraway Land.

A lush, inviting, beautiful place,

Offering the promise of solace and peace.

Dreams of this place consumed my days.

Visions of happiness, liberation and ecstasy

Filled my soul and gave me comfort.

At times when I was overpowered with

Feelings of distress, anguish and sorrow,

I would turn to thoughts of the faraway Land

For reassurance, contentment and tranquility.

As I looked down and surveyed

The vast expanse of the great Canyon

I recognized that the journey to the faraway Land

Would be long, arduous and filled with adversity.

Realizing this dream would be exhausting,

And the effort required would be tremendous.

Do I possess the strength for this journey?

Would the rewards be worth the struggles?

Could the promises that the faraway Land proffered

Be ample sustenance when continuing seemed hopeless?

Strong ambition and good intentions alone

Are not enough to pave the road to this place.

Standing in solitude

At the edge of the great Canyon,

Despair and doubt overwhelmed me.

The faraway Land all at once seemed too far away,

And the rewards seemed not worth undertaking

So arduous and perilous a journey alone.

Suddenly, as my heart was dark and heavy

With the pain of sadness and failure,

I felt the warmth of a hand in mine.

Fingers, intertwined with my own,

Tightened around mine and gently imparted

An extraordinary strength I had not possessed before.

Soft yet secure, the touch of this hand in mine

Gave rise to a new sense of competence and power.

My spirit for adventure was reborn,

And I rapidly found my desire to begin my journey

To the faraway Land reaching a feverish intensity.

Solace and peace were finally within my reach.

I know that I could not undertake such

An adventure without the energy and love

Given me by that hand – your hand – in mine.

Alone, failure would have been virtually certain.

But with you next to me, the long journey

To the faraway Land and all its beautiful rewards

Has become the wondrous adventure of a lifetime.

(for BD)

I Am Reminded Of You (1998)

The cool evening breeze flows through my window.

As it caresses my face and soothes my mind, I am reminded of you.

The gentle rain falls against my body.

As it splashes onto my warm skin, I am reminded of you.

The soft clouds roll across the night sky.

As they calmly traverse the heavens, I am reminded of you.

The tranquil night will soon give way to the dawn of a new day.

As the moon acquiesces to the rising sun, flooding the

landscape with brilliant light, I am reminded of you.

The cool evening gives me peace and serenity,

as you do with your tenderness, compassion and love.

The gentle rain awakens my senses,

as you do with your wisdom, clarity and thoughtfulness.

The soft clouds set my heart free,

as you do with your humor, passion and zest for life.

The transformation of night into day

renews my sense of being and warms my soul,

as you do every time I think of you.

(for JH)

People Everywhere (1997)

People everywhere
Rushing, dashing, racing.
Destinations, known and unknown,
Await those that are destined for them.

Where are we going?
What will the trip be like?
Will it be pleasant once we are there?

As I travel through life,
I have experienced many adventures.
Some I would rather not remember
And a multitude that I will never forget.

Time,
Once a seemingly senseless voyage,
Has transformed itself into a
Wonderful quest for me...
For us.

People everywhere
Arranging, preparing, laying out
Plans for the future.
They think they know what will be.

What awaits us?
Will we achieve what we desire?
Will the fates be kind?

The recent past has taught me
That I can not always know what is to come.
I once thought I knew what to expect,
But you have proven me very wrong.

Now, no matter what happens,
I realize that I am wholly prepared
For whatever may lie before me.
For I am no longer alone on my journey...
I have you by my side.

People everywhere
Searching, seeking, pursuing
That unique, special person which will
Fill the emptiness in their lives.

Why must they elude us?
Do they exist?
Will we ever find them?

With each passing day,
My expectations are consistently exceeded
By your generosity, devotion,
Thoughtfulness, patience and love.

My soul is calm and my heart is light.
For, in you, I have discovered
The answers to all of my questions.
I have found the one that makes me complete

Beyond my wildest dreams.

(for CS)

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (2001)

'Twas the year before Christmas

Two Thousand and One.

What an amazing year

To be an American!

The terrorists and anthrax

Caused us anger and fright.

Yet we rallied together...

Stand and Unite!

My priorities have shifted

Like many others I know.

I'm taking more time for myself

But I'm still on the go.

I haven't left Business Objects

Or the Southwest sales team.

I'm now a Technical Manager

And the job is a scream!

I manage the tech guys

Who help our software to sell.

We work with the sales folks

To ensure the deals all go well.

I'm still living in Dallas.

Thirteen years now... Oh, my!

I simply cannot believe

How the time has flown by.

I moved in the Spring

To a suburb up north.

In the last six years,

This house makes my fourth!

I liked downtown living;

The location was cool.

But I wanted a place

With a hot tub and pool.

My new home is fantastic

With a sprawling floor plan.

And the back yard is perfect

For a swim and a tan.

I live with Brandon,

Who is my best friend.

I cook and he cleans...

I like that trend!

My Jeep's running great...

She is one tough mule.

And my dog, Maggie,

Can't get enough of the pool.

I hope that the holidays

Are wondrous for you.

May your new year be joyous

And your dreams all come true!

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (2000)

'Twas just before Christmas

In the year Two Thousand.

It's the era of cell phones,

DVD and web browsin'.

I'm grateful the boon

Of technology is still strong,

Since I'm on my computer

All the day long.

My job with Business Objects

Is going quite well.

I'm basically a tech geek

Who helps the salespeople sell.

I haven't left Dallas...

I'm renting a house near downtown.

I would think about buying it

If I could get the price down!

I'm still liking Texas

As the years roll on by.

There's just something about

That endless blue sky.

In these wide-open spaces

One needs a trusty steed.

So I sold my old Jeep on eBay

For a handsome sum, indeed!

Since I bought my last one

Way back in '93,

I decided it was time

For a new Grand Cherokee.

I'm driving it home

To Ohio for Christmas.

But I'm keeping this Jeep on-road.

I won't even drive on an isthmus!

While I'm in Dayton

I'll miss my dog, Maggie, for sure.

She's such a loveable pup.

(But she's still immature.)

My plans for next year –

Since this one's foregone –

Are to keep the weight off...

And keep the hair on!

I hope that your new year

Finds life full of bliss.

So, until then...

Happy Holidays from Chris!

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (1998)

'Twas the year before Christmas

Nineteen Ninety-Eight.

The year began badly,

But it's ending up great!

I'll start with the sad news...

We lost the Big Guy.

He's gone to that golf course

Way up in the sky.

I really miss Grandpa.

I can't believe he's gone.

But the memories are great ones

And life does go on.

Now, for the good stuff...

Where shall I start?

I've made many changes,

Some foolish, some smart.

(I'll let you judge

Whether my actions were sound.

When I told Mom about them,

Her jaw hit the ground!)

I now have a puppy...

Maggie's her name.

“Which room shall I pee in today?”

Is her favorite game.

This doesn't sit well

With my new roommate, Eddie.

His cat's not too happy, either...

Its nerves are no longer steady.

Aside from the pet fights,

My new apartment is grand.

It's got wood floors, big rooms,

And rent I can stand.

I still have the Jeep

And the payments are done.

It now has a brush guard

And huge wheels for more fun!

I quit Maximizer

At the start of the Fall.

(Now comes one of my choices

Mom didn't like at all!)

So I went to Colorado

To sort some things out.

Offroading in the mountains

Is what life's all about.

I needed some time

To put life back in perspective.

I've resolved many issues

And have a whole new directive.

I've got some good prospects...

I'll be selling software again soon.

I can't wait to get going,

So I can be a VP by June!

May your holidays find you happy,

Healthy and care-free.

And I hope your new year

Is the best it can be.

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (1997)

'Twas the year before Christmas

Nineteen Ninety-Seven.

Life's going well...

It's practically heaven.

The year's been a busy one

But everything's great.

There's just too much to do...

That's why I sent this so late!

I'm still working hard

For Maximizer Technologies.

I'm learning the sales ropes

And I make no apologies!

I'm the regional manager

For the Southern U.S.

I can manage the territory;

Now I need to work on the stress!

I'm working with Christy;

She's my partner and friend.

We used to be roommates

But, sadly, that came to an end.

So I moved right downtown

Into the heart of Dallas.

I've got a great new apartment;

It's like my own little palace.

I live with my friend Richard.

He's always on the go.

We don't see much of each other

Except at the parties we throw!

It's fun living in the city.

And the nightlife is grand.

I like all my neighbors...

It's just the rent I can't stand!

I've still got my Jeep

And she's running great.

The mileage is awful,

But I love that V-8!

I've kept my weight down,

Though it's not always easy.

I miss the pizzas and beer

And those nachos so cheesy.

My plan for the next year

Is to work hard and have fun.

And to have more accomplished

When the day is all done.

I hope your season is merry

And your new year a blast.

If `98 is like this year,

It will go by real fast!

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (1996)

'Twas the year before Christmas

Nineteen Ninety-Six.

It's been a good year,

And I've learned some new tricks.

I quit ISI

And, later, joined Maximizer.

The time in between

Made me poorer and wiser!

I now do sales support

In the South and East Coast.

My software's the best!

(But I don't want to boast.)

I went on a diet

That did not know any bounds.

I struggled and starved

And lost ninety pounds.

I work out a lot
And put less on my plate.
I'm slimmer and trimmer...
I really feel great.

I left my apartment

For a house that's so cool.

It's got lots of space,

A big yard and a pool.

I'm living with friends

Named Christy and Sonny.

We're having a blast

And spending serious money!

I went back to Camp Jeep

Just outside of Vail.

I biked and rode horses

And hiked a long trail.

I motored up mountains

And then down below.

There was only one place

That my truck couldn't go...

I drove through some water

That didn't look very deep.

And yet within minutes

There was a lake in my Jeep!

My Jeep has dried out now,

So I'm driving long miles

To be home with my family

And friends for a while.

May your holidays be happy

And the new year care-free.

If you're in Dayton when I am,

The drinks are on me!

'Twas The Year Before Christmas (1995)

'Twas the year before Christmas

Nineteen Ninety-Five...

The year was a long one,

But I'm still alive.

I really like Texas

And Dallas is great.

All the people say "Howdy!"

And the steaks are top-rate.

I am still working

For Image Sciences, Inc.

It's fast-paced and hectic

But worth it, I think.

I got a promotion

Into Sales Support.

The job is exciting

I'm glad to report.

I'm traveling a lot,

Just about every week.

Doing laundry on weekends

When my clothes start to reek!

Spent some time up in Vail

With Beth and my Jeep.

Went off-road and had fun,

But the trip wasn't cheap!

I'll be home in December

To relax and hang out

With my family and friends.

That's what Christmas is about.

I can't wait for Mom's cookies

Or to see Ralph and Jo.

And if I'm real lucky,

We may get some snow!

Have a wonderful season

And a happy new year.

If you're in Dayton when I am,

Let's go have a beer!