By By Adrienne McKenzie
It's the most wonderful time of the year." This classic Christmas song sums up this time of the year for me.
Although Christmas has quickly come and gone I hope everyone keeps the spirit of the holiday alive throughout the New Year by continuing to freely give to others and also by continuing to care about those around them.
I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas yesterday. I truly believe Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and not because of the massive amounts of presents or because of the colossal amounts of delicious food, but because I get to spend time with family members that I would otherwise not get to see.
I personally was touched by the kindness of the Poarch Creek Indians corporate Gaming office. The PCI Gaming office opted out of giving each other gifts, instead they brought necessities including food and toiletries, in order to make gift baskets for six different families in need. I saw the baskets and was amazed at the huge number of items packed into each and every one.
The office chose to keep which families they would assist for Christmas anonymous. They went through the family services personnel, who would choose six families who would need help this season. The family services office chose the six families and the PCI Gaming personnel simply had a list of "family one, family two, family three, family four, family five, family six."
The family services office informed PCI Gaming the sex and age of the family members. The Gaming personnel not only provided nourishment and necessities for the families, but they made sure each family member had a Christmas present to open Christmas morning.
I was touched by the generosity of the PCI Gaming corporate office and I hope everyone else keeps the spirit of giving in mind all year long, not just during the holidays.
But, now that Christmas has come and gone I am sure many Atmore residents have already set their New Year's resolutions.
I have never been one to set a New Year's resolution because I have seen statistics on how they are never kept and so I have never seen the point, but I am sure there are some people who keep with it and fulfill their own wishes throughout the year.
However, there are some personal goals that I have made for myself for the year 2008 which include keeping better track of my finances, exercising and eating healthier and most importantly, making more of an effort to stay in touch with my friends and family. Since my goals are in print, hopefully I can look back on this column throughout the year as a reminder of what I have promised myself.
I again hope that everyone had an amazing Christmas and I wish everyone a great New Year's celebration. And, at the risk of sounding like my mother, be careful New Year's Eve if you are going to be out and about. People may be tired while driving or they may have been drinking, so keep your eyes open if you are driving.
Have a happy New Year's!
Adrienne McKenzie is a staff reporter for The Atmore Advance. She can be reached at 368-2123 or via email at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com.