Scott Luton’s Post

A few years back, I began to assemble a Christmas village each holiday season. The funny thing though: as my village got bigger & bigger with every carefully-selected purchase, my usable portion of the house that we pay for got smaller & smaller, thanks to the kids, the dogs, and now even the cats. Can you relate? So I haven't rebuilt the village for a few years. But as I was rummaging through all the boxes this year, I came back across one of my favorite village purchases. It's this really warm, two story farmhouse...all dressed out for the holidays. However, that's not what sealed the deal. It was this warm embrace on the front porch. To my eye, it looks like a son coming home to his mother after a long time away. The big hug. The very traveled suitcase on the stairs. Even the good ol' hound waiting for his turn to catch up. Seeing all that captured in a perfect Christmas moment - - and I was sold. Hey, a sucker is born every minute. This old house & front porch scene was quickly purchased & added to our growing village. Speaking of big hugs: my granddad used to tell us "hug my neck", time and time again, before he left the house (and then proceeded to wait patiently in the Buick for my grandmom to finish up her visiting). Such a very special individual & influence on my life. Oh man, what I'd give to be able to hug his neck just one more time. Famed American author Thomas Wolfe, the pride of Asheville, North Carolina, wrote a somewhat interesting book that was entitled: "You Can't Go Home Again". I vaguely remember but a few of its intricacies from college, even as the central premise has stuck with me ever since. While there's a good bit of truth to what Tom says, there's also plenty of timeless comfort & joy in the ever-evolving version of "home" that we can find each and every holiday season. Be it on the front porch steps or well beyond. For all of my dear friends & network colleagues that celebrate: me, Amanda, & our Supply Chain Now team wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your travels be safe, your time with friends & family be special, and your heart be full. And here's to the New Year bringing peace & good will to all. And get ready folks: we'll be hitting the round running with #supplychain leadership programming right at the beginning of an exciting 2025 (see link in comments below).