'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.