It seems like just last week that I wrote about the last issue before Christmas 2010 and here we are ready to celebrate 2011’s version.

This year will be my first Christmas with grandchildren — and no easing into it either. Over the past year I have become Grandma to three wonderful children currently aged six, seven and eight. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a ‘sleepover’ with them on Christmas Eve. There really is nothing like the feel of little arms wrapped around one’s neck. This is also my son’s first year of hosting our family Christmas and I know he and his fiancee will do a wonderful job. I’ll do my best to be the perfect guest!

Every year at this time, there is lots of communication around the political correctness of holiday greetings. It’s not an argument that is ever going to be won by any side so I often wonder why it continues. Human nature being what it is however, I suspect the subject will go on for many more years. Personally, I believe we should all be allowed to wish anybody and everybody whatever we care to. I will not be offended if someone wishes me a Happy Hanukkah and I hope I don’t offend when I say Merry Christmas. I haven’t met anyone who was opposed to having paid time off of employment in order to celebrate Christmas day even if they don’t choose to celebrate the birth of Christ. I don’t see employees lining up to work on any statutory holiday for less than double time and a half but nor do I hear any objections to a Happy Thanksgiving wish.

So I choose to wish you all a very Merry Christmas with no objections to why, how  or if you may choose to celebrate December 25.

Have a good look at the Community Events calendar tucked into this issue. If you are involved with an event that should be in it, please let us know as soon as possible and we will provide a monthly update in the last issue of each month.

Marilyn Berry is publisher of The Valley Echo