When it’s Time to Retire as Santa

I have lost my job. I only just realized this today.

It happened so gradually that I didn’t even notice the signs – though clearly I should have. Like many who work in the same position for a long time, I’d become awfully good at it, and I took a lot of pride in the work I did.

It had become a big part of my identity, too, even as I might be heard to complain about its duties, its low pay, its thankless, never-ending tasks, especially around year-end. I guess it was because I’d held the job s...