‘Twas Just Before Christmas

‘Twas just before Christmas and oh what a year
With changes a plenty, we move forward without fear;
The mission was set for a new beginning to start
And a time for each of us to play an important part.

The staff were all nestled tight in their chairs,
With goals to be met hanging high in the air;
And me in my office with bright Christmas tie,
Had just settled in knowing year end was nigh,

When out in the branch there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Out through the door and to the railing I took
Then I leaned way over to get a good look.

The lights in the lobby and those on the tree
Gave a glow to the people and to all I could see,
When what, in amazement, should I finally spot,
But a sleigh and some reindeer out in the lot,

And a little old man running up to a teller,
That I just knew was dear Santa that jolly fat fella.
Faster than a cheetah to the line he did scurry,
And he appeared to be in a terrible hurry.

“Please help me, oh help me!” I heard him yell out
”I need some assistance,” he continued to shout.
“I’m short on supplies and my cash is depleted”
“I don’t know what to do and I’m feeling defeated.”

As I heard his plea I knew just what to do
But before I could blink into action staff flew.
To an FSR station he was gently escorted,
And a loan application taken so his problems be thwarted.

Then, in a twinkling, lending staff took the lead
And approved an amount that met all of his needs.
He was also provided other services like access online,
That made his life simpler and gave peace of mind.

His eyes started twinkling, his laugh grew quite merry
His cheeks got all rosy and his nose like a cherry;
He jumped to his feet and starting dancing around
And he ran through the branch with a leap and a bound.

“You’ve saved Christmas”, he shouted, “and not just for me,”
“But for everyone everywhere, just wait and you’ll see.”
I can restock supplies that have been so diminished
So the elves can be paid and the toys all get finished.

“But well beyond that, what means most to me,
Is you treated me with kindness, the way I wanted to be.
You asked about my needs and gave me just what was right
To ensure the success of my Christmas time flight.”

“It’s not always what you say or what it is that you do,
But the way you make a person feel that really shines through.”
He thanked everyone and rushed out to his sleigh
And said one more thing as he went on his way.

“Remember”, he bellowed, “it’s the experience folks remember”
“Don’t limit that to today or the month of December”.
Then we heard him exclaim, as he went out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

Twas the Night Before Christmas

“‘Twas days before Christmas and things kinda stank.

The fear of recession and economy in the tank.

But at Freedom we were happy, it has to be said,

With the anticipation of holiday treats in our head

And I strategically planning efficient and fast,

Was analyzing data right down to the last.

When out in the lobby I heard such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away from my desk and straight to the door,

Out in the hallway and to the lobby I did soar.

And what with my wondering eyes did I see,

But a little old man waiving frantically at me.

He was dressed all in red and spoke rather quick,

But I could tell in an instant that this was St. Nick.

He had papers in hand and asked me to hurry.

So straight up to him I quickly did scurry.

He got right to the point and said with a sigh,

“I can no longer afford for my reindeer to fly.

“The cost of feed and the parts for my sled,

If I don’t get relief Christmas’s future I dread!”

We went off to my office in a chair he was seated,

I went over his finances saw his 401k was depleted.

But I was not worried and said “Do not fear.

Freedom can help you so it’s good that you’re here.”

With a savings restructure and a nice yielding loan

I devised a bailout to get him back in the zone.

Once all was completed, he was back on his way,

Delivering goodies before Christmas Day.

And I heard him exclaim as he flew out of sight,

“Before Freedom’s help money really was tight,

But now that you’ve helped me I can continue my flight.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!!”

One Man’s Trash

At what point in our evolution as a society was the decision made to discard trash anywhere you like: out the window of a car, gum spat on a sidewalk, cans/bottles left wherever they were emptied down a gullet? Was there a vote?

The other day I was walking with my son through the neighborhood. There was an empty box of candy in the grass and without a word, he bent down and picked it up. Before we got back home where he threw it in the trash can, I said, as if he was still a child, “why’d you pick that up? You don’t know where it’s been.” He held it up and said, “if everyone just did one little thing, the world would be a better place”. I found that moment very profound. A lesson learned somewhere along the way and an attitude that can inspire.

So, when I talk about how Freedom is built to put people first, to improve our community, to do good, it’s in the hope others might be motivated to act in kind and, in turn, do business with us so we can continue that mission. After all, one person can make a difference, why shouldn’t Freedom.