There is just something about Christmas time and the joy that you see in people's eyes and faces. It truly does feel like the one time of year when people are geninely happier, friendlier and more compassionate. I have always and continue to love this time of year.
We started a new program at work this year called Silver Bells. We basically did an Angel Tree for our elderly population and were able to get them some unbelievable items and gifts. The gratitude that you see on people's faces by just doing simple acts of kindness helps to get you through all of the bad times that you may endure at other times. With all the bad news that we see and hear about (first hand on too many occasions) it always does me good and leaves me feeling a little more energized to start the new year. And the way things are heading, I am going to need it in 2009.
We are enduring another round of budget cuts and now the county is asking for us to introduce budgets with a 15% reduction!!! That is an unbelievable number based on the size of our caseloads and the amount of people we are serving. Everyone in our business knows that when things are going bad, our doors are swinging at an incredible pace. It doesn't make sense to me, but neither does the entire governmental process at times.
With the legislative session about ready to begin, January 14th, I am preparing to begin making my weekly trips to Richmond. These are some long day trips and are really long by the end of the session, which is supposed to be a short session this year, but I don't see them finishing early.
Anyway, everyone in the family is happy and healthy and we are all looking forward to Christmas. We have already celebrated with both my mom, dad and Becky's dad, so Christmas day will be all ours for the first time. I am looking forward to getting plenty of new toys that I can play with and just celebrating the season. Shatlyn should be happy as she is just a tad spoiled, so I don't see her wanting for anything this year. Overall, this year has been very good to me and my family.
I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and I hope everyone is happy and healthy.
