To Those Who Didn’t Get The Day Off

I kinda hope my boss doesn't read this one. Not because I think this one is going to get me in trouble, but it might plant some seeds I would just as soon not sow.

But the fact is, I kind of missed being at work yesterday. I know, Christmas, family, celebrations, and time away from work are the norm that everyone looks forward too, with me at the top of that list.

But there were days when you were in broadcast that holidays were just another day of work. As a kid going in the car to grandpa and grandmas house on Christmas day, my parents would generally have the radio on, and I felt a kinship, if you will, to the people that were on the air entertaining us and keeping us informed.

More to the point, the job I consider the one that launched my in to my career only happened because they needed someone to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Through out the years, I remember getting calls from listeners when I was working on the holidays. A lot of those calls were from other people working the day. Hospital staff, police, folks at the “we never close” restaurant, and the convenience store workers. And of course, those who were simply lonely.They would all call and we would commiserate about working on the holidays. Yet, I felt a, well, closeness to them. We were all in the same boat.

In the realm of the professional world, a sentiment not often uttered is the longing for the holiday hustle within the workplace. As many revel in the joyous festivities with family and friends, there exists a unique group who finds themselves reminiscing about the camaraderie and shared purpose that working during the holidays brings.

There was a certain magic in the air during those holiday shifts—the station adorned with festive decorations, the hum of productivity intermingling with the cheerful melodies of seasonal tunes. The holiday season at the station was more than just an extension of regular workdays; it was a special time when colleagues became companions in the pursuit of common goals. The shared workload and the camaraderie that developed during the end-of-year rush created a sense of unity and purpose.

When we got back in to town on Christmas, I couldn't help but think of those who were giving comfort to those who were in physical distress, those who were on duty to keep us from harm, those who worked to see that would could be entertained, and those who were there so we could get something to eat. And to a certain degree, I missed being in that group.

As I reflect on the nostalgia for working during the holidays, it's not about the sacrifice of personal celebrations but rather the recognition of the unique spirit that permeated the workplace during this season. The shared sense of purpose, the festive ambiance, and the bonds formed in the crucible of deadlines created an atmosphere that transcended the mundane routine of day-to-day work.