WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

By: Senator Phillip Wheeler

Another Christmas is upon us, and I want to extend my warmest wishes and sincere hope that you and your loved ones are enjoying a holiday season in good health and full of happiness.

With 2024 just around the corner, it’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed since the whirlwind of Thanksgiving. Christmas unfolds here in Kentucky with a special blend of bluegrass charm. Main streets come alive with decorations, families and friends unite, and joy and happiness can be felt far and wide.

This Christmas, I look forward to being home with my family to enjoy the holiday and spend more time with those who make life meaningful. This time of year is particularly nostalgic for me.  I often reflect on childhood memories, family gatherings, and church services that I could never forget.  If you are like me, some of your happiest memories were created around the dinner table or the Christmas tree.

For many Kentuckians, this economy has been particularly hard on their families and loved ones. In difficult times, it is important to find the joy in our loved ones’ company, hold on to cherished memories, and look forward to the creation of new ones in the future.

If you have not been financially impacted by the negative effects of our economy, I encourage you to consider doing something kind for those who have been. Whether it is providing meals to families in need or delivering a gift to a child, there is much that we can do for each other to make the holidays brighter.

Community holds a special place in Kentucky, and our acts of kindness define the holiday spirit. Neighbors exchange cookies and families extend helping hands to those in need, embodying the central spirit of faith in God. Please contribute to this tradition by assisting those who may be troubled or have fewer financial means.

Remember those who work during the holidays as we gather with our loved ones. Extend kindness and extra patience to those working in the service industry, and express gratitude for their dedication. A recent poll revealed that a quarter of Americans will work on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Day.

Additionally, it’s crucial to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice of hospital staff, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, police officers, firefighters, and all public servants who keep our communities safe. Our thoughts and prayers should also include the brave men and women in the military, both at home and abroad.

I am truly honored by the privilege of serving as your senator. As we partake in church services, family dinners, and cherished traditions, let’s remember that this season is where faith, family, and tradition converge, creating a distinctly bluegrass Christmas atmosphere. I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

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Senator Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. Wheeler is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment; Transportation; Natural Resources and Energy; Judiciary; Tourism, Small Business and Information Technology, and State Government. Additionally, he is the Co-Chair of the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Lastly, Wheeler was recently appointed to the Jail and Corrections Reform and Local Government Annexation Task Forces.