Legislative update: Holiday season a time to reflect on life’s blessings
By JIMMY HIGDON
14th District State Senator
SEN. JIMMY HIGDON
Friday, Dec. 19, 2014 — I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas season and a Happy New Year. For the second year in a row, the hustle of Christmas parties, parades, church services and family get-togethers seems more intense with the shorter period between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Don’t let the stress and hectic schedule ruin your holiday. I hope I take my own advice when I say slow down and enjoy the holidays.
Christmas offers us many opportunities to spend quality time with our families and friends. Despite the busy time and search for the perfect gift, I am hoping to take a brief moment and recognize my blessings and enjoy this special time in Kentucky. We love family, and the places we are from. It is a time of year when families return home to where they were raised and where generations lived and worked before them. It is also a time to remember the reason for the season, “Jesus’ Birthday.”
We Kentuckians also value our traditions and give thanks for our blessings while recognizing that we cannot stand idly by when others are without and need help. Think of all the ways we help each other. Every time a Kentucky community experiences a tornado, flood, or other disaster, fellow Kentuckians come to aid in recovery. Also, it is evident from the important programs during this time of year, that many of us donate to charity and provide food, money and time to the less fortunate. It helps us feel good about a community to see the toys for tots programs, Salvation Army’s Angel Tree, God’s Pantry and the various food drives for the needy. I hope we all can do our part this year. For those in need of essentials, or going through tough times, my prayers and thoughts go out to you.
Also, I want to remind you during this busy season to drive safely and be aware. As we prepare for Christmas, many of us will travel, be out attending special services and programs, doing last-minute shopping, and visiting friends and family. AAA predicts 98.6 million Americans will be traveling the week of Christmas and through the New Year, 90% of them driving. With this in mind, keep vigilant in your travels and stay safe! I hope you enjoy the many festivities, services and fun this season.
Please join me and Bro. Lee Watts for the Thirteenth Annual Prayer Breakfast to be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at the Lebanon United Methodist Church located at 236 North Spalding Avenue in Lebanon. Other legislators joining us include: Rep. Bam Carney, Rep. David Floyd, Rep. Mike Harmon, Rep. Kim King, Rep.-elect James Allen Tipton and Sen.-elect Max Wise. We will enjoy breakfast, compliments of the Methodist Men’s Group, and fellowship will begin at 8 a.m. The prayer service will begin at 9 a.m.. All are welcome.
I am always interested in your comments or questions. Please feel free to contact me by calling and leaving a message at the toll-free message line for legislators, 1-800-372-7181. Also, you are welcome to call me at my home, 270-692-6945. My e-mail address is jimmy.higdon@lrc.ky.gov.
Senator Jimmy Higdon (R-Lebanon) represents the 14th District including Casey, Marion, Nelson and Spencer counties, as well as part of Jefferson County. He is the Majority Whip and a member of the Economic Development and Labor, Education, Health and Welfare, Licensing and Occupations, and Transportation Committees.
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