From the Publisher: Coming Home

I am looking forward to this Christmas and having all four of us under the same roof. My husband Derby and I celebrated 23 years of marriage this year. My daughter Maggie started college in the fall and now has her first semester under her belt. If those two milestones don’t make ya feel old, I am not sure what will. I am really starting to feel time slipping by.

After you hit the midway mark you start to take stock of your life. It can be heavy. I think most of us can say we have felt the heaviness of life at times over the last few years.

We live in a world where we are pressured to do more with less. To rise earlier and stay at work later. To make more money and buy more stuff. And post it all on social media just to make sure the world knows it.

Prioritizing mental health is now more important than ever.

Our Joy of Giving section takes a look at all the nonprofits doing so many extraordinary things in our community. Refuge Center and Mercy Community Healthcare are just two examples of organizations focusing on mental health.

Mental health is also affected by food insecurities, low self-esteem, poverty, abuse and homelessness. There are so many nonprofits leading the charge and doing for others what they cannot do for themselves.

As you sit with your own families this year some of us may have empty seats at the table. The holidays can be hard for many as it is a painful reminder of loved ones that are not here to celebrate with us. It is a good time to tell stories and reminisce. It is also a good time to take stock of what we are grateful for and remember why we are all here. To cherish our families and count our blessings.

And as you look at ways you can give back ~ look at our Joy of Giving section and find a way to give that may resonate with you ~ and perhaps honors someone you love.

Merry Christmas!

Cassie