Geneva County Sheriffs issued a BOLO (be on the lookout) for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve as he enters the Wiregrass to deliver presents.
GSCO reported a flying red sleigh driven by reindeer, the lead reindeer’s nose glowing red. They said the sleigh was occupied by a jolly male known as Santa Claus — A.K.A. Saint Nick — flying over Wiregrass skies tonight. He can be heard saying “ho-ho-ho” and “Merry Christmas to all.”
Let’s go through the checklist:
Christmas tree put up? Tree decorated? Presents bought? Presents wrapped? Presents placed gingerly under the tree? Stockings hung? Roast beast in the oven? All the other fixin’s in the works? Family headed to the house? Blankets ready for the kids to make a pallet and sleep over? Out-of-office email created? Christmas cards sent?
I’m exhausted just thinking of everything that needs to be done for Christmas. I’m sure you’re exhausted having to do it.
You may expect me to wax poetic about how wonderful the Christmas season is, how you can feel in the air the kindness and joy, how sweet baby Jesus and the grown one, too, have blessed us infinitely — but I’ll save that for another time.
Christmas is tough for so many. Think about it: the structure of your life goes haywire as work slows down or speeds up, depending on what you do. You suddenly are expected to make extensive plans with family, whether that may be inviting a big group to your home or making an hours-long trek over the hill and through the woods to Grandma’s house. Not only do you have to see family, you have to buy gifts for them and help with a massive meal. You have to budget for turkey and ham and iPhones and Barbies and Hot Wheels and Nintendos.
All that’s combined with the scientific fact the average Alabamian starts to feel a Vitamin D deficiency around December, since there’s less sunlight and you’re not likely to spend as much time outdoors. It’s called seasonal affective disorder — also aptly known as SAD.
So all the family stress, financial worry, and plan-making, especially when combined with the notion Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to depression and anxiety, all mean many of us are riding the struggle sleigh and hitting every chimney along the way.
Reader, know you aren’t alone.
It can feel incredibly overwhelming when everyone around you seems to be holly-jolly and gung-ho for the holidays. Or, if you’re like me, and you don’t have a supermassive family to tend to for the holidays, you may feel a little left out from the Christmas cheer.
Save your “Bah, humbugs” for another Christmas; we will get through this together.
Blah, blah, stay on the nice list, blah, blah, reason for the season… They’re cliches because they’re true.
Consider donating your time. Find a place to volunteer on Christmas. Lots of churches have Christmas events, and they need volunteers. Maybe see if your local senior center will accept some visitors and a home-made dessert. Maybe bring something for the service workers who have clock in on Christmas to make popcorn at the movie theater, ring up last-minute cans of condensed milk at the grocery store or make fast-food hamburgers for travelers.
Furthermore, pay attention.
Watch for the wrinkle in a stranger’s brow that may indicate they’re having a tough time. Walk up to someone and pay them a simple and genuine compliment and a “Merry Christmas.” The little things go a long way.
Pay it forward this Christmas, whatever “it” may be for you. Donate your time and money.
Most importantly, think of what you want and need this Christmas, and try to give it to others. I guarantee you’ll feel at least a little better.
DOTHAN: 5:56 PM Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire, Dothan Police, Pilcher Ambulance to a vehicle fire, 4300 Montgomery Highway in Dothan.
Reports to Dothan 911 an older model pickup truck, flames under truck bed.
On arrival of Dothan Fire and Dothan Police the vehicle was well involved.
A Houston County Sheriff Deputy is also on the scene.
Emergency units are responding to a report of a crash at Highway 134 and County Road 87 just north of Napier Field.
Initial reports indicate two vehicles involved in the crash, and early reports said one person was bleeding.
After 2 p.m. two days before Christmas, various agencies across the Wiregrass have already worked some five or six wrecks.
RSN would like to remind you to drive safely while you’re traveling to meet family.
SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER. Adhere to speed limits, and move out of the left lane to allow faster drivers to pass you.
DO NOT TAILGATE. You should keep a good distance between you and the car in front of you. Think ahead; what would happen if the car you’re tailgating had to slam on brakes?
USE EXTRA CAUTION AROUND ROAD WORK. While there may not be workers out, road work can leave roads more narrow than they used to be. Go more slowly and remember that cones often mean progress.
PLAN ALTERNATIVE ROUTES IF YOU KNOW YOU MAY BE GOING THROUGH AREAS WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC OR MUCH CONSTRUCTIONS. Especially in front of Sam’s Club on the Circle, there are new traffic patterns and still much construction. If you know you’ll be going through those areas of heavy construction, consider taking another route.
MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Remember: if emergency vehicles are stopped on the side of the road, you MUST move over to the opposite lane to give them room.
BUCKLE UP, AND DON’T USE YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING. Alabama now has seatbelt laws and hands-free laws. To avoid tickets—and more importantly, to avoid crashes and keep you safe in the event of a crash—buckle up and put the phone down.
Keep your Christmas crash-free; don’t wind up on Rickey Stokes News, don’t end up in the emergency room, and don’t expect a visit from the coroner.