Looking at the stars
A week ago I told the team that yes, I would attend the Christmas dinner, but a trip came up. Strange, the same day they were meeting. So I sent a message to each of them. To let them know that they were not going to count on me, that my commitment to our cause was absolute, that they already knew that my travels were for our common good and that very soon they would receive the fruits, as always, in the form of letters, calls, photos and drawings, and we would continue to create magic. I asked them to visualize where they wanted us to be next year, put those images on the table, and let's gallop out to get them. Time was giving us back each of our dreams in the form of droplets of sweet nectar, and we didn't plan to stop going for more.
It didn't sit well with them, as expected, but we are a great team and they understood that the traveling soul of our brand should not rest, and that, if calls arise from a destination, unknown or already familiar, but always new, we must pay attention to it, because behind it there is always a story, and we live from them.
I did ask them to keep my seat at the table, as a symbol of our teamwork, and I asked them to keep me informed of everything at all times, and they did.
What follows is a list of messages that were arriving to my cell phone from all of them.
Sofía: Manuela, what a pity you're missing this moment of all of us together, I still can't believe it. We just arrived at the restaurant, did you know it's in the middle of the forest? I didn't!
Martina: Amiga, have a good trip! The restaurant is packed to the rafters, but you can tell they know you and love you, because they are taking us to a table far away from the noise and I think we will be in glory. Potatoes bravas?
Toni: Wow, what a nice touch, Manuela, what a beautiful table you have prepared for us! It was so exciting to arrive at our corner and see that the table was all of our things, that we were so moved that we cried tears and everything. The Limoges tableware with the placemats and beige napkins, plus the candles and that decoration of yours with flowers and nuts make an extraordinary effect! It's as if you had set it yourself!
Joaquín: The dinner was ten points. We asked for all your recommendations and it was as if you had been here. I hope you don't get the blues, although I don't think so, because you are so used to it. Look what a great selfie of the whole team. I'm going to cut and paste a picture of you, this can't be.
Martina: We are about to hand out the Secret Santa gifts that we left in a corner when we arrived. They are all very happy, Manuela. I have just suggested that they all close their eyes and I will distribute the packages according to the name written on them. They will all open their eyes at the same time and they will find their little gift. They loved the proposal.
Martina: They didn't understand anything. They opened their eyes at my signal and found that there was no gift in front of them. They looked at each other and immediately discovered that all their gifts were in your place. A moment of confusion ensued. It was everyone's turn to give you a gift.
Sofia: This must be your doing, Manuela, we have all given you a gift!
Joaquín: How were you able to fool the Secret Santa software?
Fernanda: I had such a hard time choosing something for you, and it turns out you put us all through the same thing!
Martina: Friend! They look at me and they think it's my work...
And then everyone got a message from me. You should have seen how much fun I had organizing this whole surprise from the airport in Barcelona! People saw me laughing and laughed with me!
Close your eyes all at once and count to 30. Martina, you too, I no longer need accomplices.
When they opened their eyes the mountain of gifts in my place had disappeared. They each had a carefully wrapped package. They set about opening it all at once, first shyly, then madly. Paper dancing. One package led to another and another and another, all in different colors, until they came to an envelope. Inside, a boarding pass and a note that read:
Our flight leaves in a few hours. Everything you need at the destination is in a bag under your chairs. When you finish dinner, a van will be waiting to take you to the airport. This is a trip we all take together.
***
I am writing to you from the hotel, somewhere in the world.
We have just spent the night projecting where we want to be this year under the immense sky. The stars are keeping our secret and are already starting to work for us.
The whole Lo de Manuela team wishes you a Merry Christmas.
Bon voyages, friends!
Gift ideas: