Hanukkah is winding down, Christmas and Kwanzaa are upon us and next week, we’ll be entering 2015.
A lot of you will be taking a break for the holidays to be with family and friends, and we will be doing the same. We won’t be printing a Dec. 31 edition, so we can give our employees a chance to enjoy the season before diving headlong back into our work.
With that in mind, we want to remind you that no matter what or how you celebrate, please do so responsibly. If you have any alcoholic beverages, please don’t drive. The mixture of alcohol and driving in the winter — especially if we get any snow or ice — is particularly dangerous and completely avoidable. Have a designated driver or a cab take you home. And if you’re hosting a holiday party, be sure to take the keys away from any of your guests who are intoxicated.
Also, with this being Christmas, don’t relegate your gift giving to your family and friends. Please consider donating to a local charity. It can be in the form of money or needed items such as clothing or food. Or, you can donate your time and volunteer for an organization. No matter what you do, it’s important to do something to give back to those less fortunate. After all, this is the season of giving.
Above all else, use this time to recharge your inner batteries. We’ve all been running ourselves ragged over the last month as we fit in work, holiday shopping, planning our family get-togethers and preparing massive meals. Now that the holidays have arrived, we should all take a big breath, exhale and enjoy each other’s company. We’ve truly earned that right.
As for our New Year’s message to you, we just want the best for everyone. For those who are struggling, we hope you find what you need to move forward and into better days. For those who are doing well, we hope you continue to do so. May 2015 bring you more good days than bad ones, and may your burdens never be more than you can bear.
Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah. Happy Kwanzaa. And Happy New Year.