I wrote this in 2012 and the long Christmas postal line-ups remain the same, 2 years later!

Have you ever noticed that when you’re with a crowd of people, there is always one person who is a take-charge-let’s-get-it-done kind of person? I don’t mean this in a negative way because it’s nice there’s always someone willing to take the helm when the Captain is away; who has the initiative and guts to create a bond of camaraderie among bored, impatient strangers in long line-ups, especially the long post-office lineups.

I like to chat with the person in front of me and the person behind me when the lineup is long and the people seem friendly.  I was the 18th person in the post office line. Margaret, a robust motherly type, was the lady in front of me and as I–along with everyone else–quickly realized, Margaret was not a patient, silent, anonymous liner-upper.  Margaret was a creative take-charge-stay-happy-won’t-take-long kind of person. Joyfully and loudly, Margaret began to sing to the tune of “Jingle Bells” her own lyrics: Crawling along this line; Carrying gifts and cards today. When will we ever see the end, I really cannot say,  then bursting into the “Jingle Bells” chorus. There were 17 people ahead of me and 10 more behind, but Margaret quickly whipped us into a noisy impromptu choir. Well, by the time I got to the head of the line, everyone was smiling, humming and singing along.

Thank you, Margaret. You made this lineup the best one I’ve ever stood in.  I envy the people in the next lineup you stand in because they are in for an unforgettable treat!

At the moment, I can’t seem to get “Jingle Bells” out of my mind. . . .