Merry Christmas — you are valuable and appreciated
It’s the holiday season. What does that mean to you?
Businesses, government offices, schools will be closed Monday in observance of Christmas.
And, while many people will enjoy vacation and time off, there will be others working during the holidays.
Medical and emergency personnel work during hours when many people are home enjoying leisure.
Joy, celebrations, gatherings of family, friends and co-workers may be the theme of the season, but there are others who are sad, homeless, sick, alone or grieving the recent death of a loved one.
Several different area organizations and churches provided food and gifts for children and families for the holidays thanks to the generosity of donors and the work of volunteers.
On these last few days before Christmas, you may be stressed, rushing to finish gift shopping or buying food to prepare a feast. You may be tempted to be annoyed with the crowds and the impatience or lack of consideration of others, but it’s a good time to remember to be gracious, gentle and kind with people whose paths you cross.
A smile, thoughtfulness, offering someone your spot in line may be just the gift you can share to a stranger to encourage them.
Recently, I received several different notes of encouragement. I can not adequately express how heart-warming they each were! Sometimes a simple “thank you” or “we appreciate you” can revive a lagging spirit or provide hope and encouragement to someone weary with their work.
A city employee party was held this past weekend and not one single employee had to do anything to set it up or provide for it. That is unique and a first here in more than 45 years.
The mayor and his family set up the event and he said it was specifically designed to serve the employees and to allow an opportunity for their families to see how well they are appreciated. Well done.
Many people do their job unceasingly without anyone ever noticing or expressing appreciation and they begin to wonder if it matters.
People are quick to complain and criticize.
Think about the times traffic is stalled by a wreck. When work is delayed by an internet outage. When the check-out lines are long at a store or there is a long line waiting to get to the gas pump to fill the tank.
People complain about the increased population and the influx of developers building on what were farms. But, those same developments and the residents of those bring in more talent, more volunteers, possibly more city servants and more revenue. If you were not born here, if you are not a second or third generation Pea Ridge resident, recognize that you are one of the newcomers and welcome all of the other newcomers as you would like to have been welcomed.
Each of us has something to contribute.
“Many hands make the work light,” my greatgrandmother used to say. If each of us would contribute to the community welfare, whether through serving on a city committee, running for office, volunteering on a non-profit organization, we would find that fewer people would burn out.
Keyboard warriors type out their less than kind comments, not considering that someone has been inconvenienced more than they have, that emergency personnel are working in potentially dangerous conditions to care for the people in the vehicles, someone may have their life forever changed by injury or death.
Linemen for internet companies and electricity providers, for water and sewer work in all kinds of weather conditions to restore service for customers.
Paramedics, emergency medical technicians, firefighters, police, nurses, doctors and other medical personnel work throughout the day and night, summer and winter caring for those in need. Employees at retirement homes and nursing homes work regardless of the holidays.
Each of us know someone who could use a word of encouragement. We don’t have to send notes only on birthdays or holidays. And, as much as I am old-fashioned and like hand-written notes, I know today’s generation likes texts.
Text, post on social media, send a note and tell someone they are appreciated.
The best gifts don’t cost much money — giving a gift of yourself, your time, your consideration may be the best gift someone receives this year.
Merry Christmas, Pea Ridge area residents, old and new.
I appreciate you and your support of the city, the school, the community and the newspaper and local businesses.
It was not that long ago that residents of Pea Ridge had to drive to neighboring cities to shop and eat out. Now, there are many, many opportunities in town for eating out and shopping.
Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five years. She has nine grown children, six sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law and 16 grandchildren. The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at abeard@ nwaonline.com.