A holiday story of prevention and growth.<\/p>\n
By Melissa Somers
\nExecutive Director, CPP SoCal*<\/p>\n
Every You down in Youville liked progress a lot\u2026.
\nBut the Grinch, who lived in the region of Youville, did NOT!
\nThe Grinch hated progress! And all for no reason.
\nNow please don\u2019t ask why he chose such a treason.<\/p>\n
It could be his head wasn\u2019t screwed on just right.
\nIt could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
\nBut I think that the most likely reason of all,
\nMay have been that his conscience was two sizes too small.
\nWhatever the reason, his conscience or his shoes,
\nHe stood ready to strike with disdain for the Yous.<\/p>\n
Staring down from his perch with a sour, Grinchy frown,
\nAt the bustling progress at work in the town,
\nHe knew every You there in Youville below
\nWas busy now, working with a holiday glow.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Yous are productive and I disagree!\u201d
\n\u201cProgress is happening! It\u2019s all around me!\u201d
\nThen he growled, with his Grinch fingers nervously drumming.
\n\u201cI MUST find a way to stop progress from coming!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve tolerated improvements for so very long now,
\nIt\u2019s high time to end all this growth! But how?\u201d
\n\u201cAll I need is a strategy\u201d, thought the Grinch as he pondered
\n\u201cThat keeps them from working, but what?\u201d he then wondered.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know!\u201d He mused with his Grinchy, mean grin.
\n\u201cI\u2019ll steal their equipment and sell it again!\u201d
\n\u201cI can stop this dreaded work and all of the fuss\u201d
\n\u201cIf the Yous don\u2019t have their loaders and trucks!\u201d<\/p>\n
So he called his pal, Max. Then the Grinch grabbed his keys
\nAnd the duo set off for their construction crime spree.
\nIn their ramshackle truck they drove through the night
\nAnd the pair began looking for the first place to strike.<\/p>\n
The Yous were so anxious for their holiday break
\nThat the Grinch and his pal were counting on mistakes.<\/p>\n
They hoped that each site had been hastily left.
\nWith nary a hint of security present to test
\nTheir dastardly plans of theft and destruction
\nAnd scheme to delay every kind of construction.<\/p>\n
They soon spied a yard, hoping for an unlocked gate
\nAnd prayed that its foreman chose to test his fate.
\nThey approached their first target, greed gleaming in their eyes
\nBut immediately noticed things were secure, much to their surprise.<\/p>\n
The first thing that they spotted was a sign boldly posted
\nThat offered a reward to people who were devoted-
\nTo stopping any bad guys or thieves on the prowl
\n\u201cThat does it!\u201d The Grinch proclaimed with a growl.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow will I ever stop this blasted construction I hate?\u201d
\n\u201cIf every job has a reward sign posted on their gate?\u201d
\n\u201cAnd to make matters worse, they\u2019ve secured all their trucks
\nOn to the next; I need to make some bucks!\u201d<\/p>\n
So Max and the Grinch continued their quest
\nSlowly trolling the equipment left on I-10 west.
\n\u201cSurely the assets they left on the side of the freeway
\nWill be easy to steal and then sell on Ebay.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pair was quite pleased with their brilliant new plot
\nAs they approached, they hoped they\u2019d find what they sought.
\nBut much to their dismay it became easy to see
\nThat the You\u2019s had secured everything therefore ending their spree.<\/p>\n
Not only was each loader and tool locked that night
\nThe You\u2019s made it clear that their security was airtight
\nAnd once again the Grinch noticed that bright yellow sign
\nThat made it clear the You\u2019d would tolerate no crime!<\/p>\n
It was then that the Grinch as his nasty pal Max
\nStarted to think that their plan might have a few cracks.
\n\u201cIf they\u2019ve posted these signs, and put locks all around,\u201d
\nMaybe a weakness in their security won\u2019t be found.\u201d<\/p>\n
So the Grinch started doubting his plans for making quick cash
\nAs he certainly did not want to risk any backlash.
\nAnd then something happened, taking the Grinch by surprise
\nHe felt his conscience growing to ten times its normal size!<\/p>\n
He respected the measures the You\u2019s all had taken
\nAnd realized his resistance to progress was mistaken.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s delightful to see so many types of prevention-
\nCameras, locks and warning signs calling attention.
\nAnd the fact that the You\u2019s so clearly embrace
\nPrevention and progress that beautifies this place!\u201d<\/p>\n
Then the Grinch decided to do something to show
\nAs his conscience continued to grow, grow, and GROW\u2026
\n\u201cI\u2019ll support the You\u2019s progress and all it includes
\nAnd welcome each You, regardless of mood.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fully embracing his gratitude for the You\u2019s and their work
\nThe Grinch then decided to stop being a jerk
\nHe then took a deep breath and shouted with delight,
\n\u201cHappy Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight!\u201d<\/p>\n
So now you know the story of the Grinch\u2019s about face
\nAnd how, through awareness, he came to embrace
\nThe You\u2019s, their construction, and dedication to progress
\nAnd even a bit of tolerance for the occasional mess.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t fail to notice the prevention clues that we\u2019ve shared
\nAnd the importance of taking steps to prepare
\nSo that your holiday season can be one filled with joy
\nAnd you\u2019re doing your part to stop evil ploys!<\/p>\n