Dear editor,

Time marches on they say and I mean it really seems to be flying by faster than I can keep up. In my mind’s eye yesterday my kids were just born, and today they are all grown and gone.

My wife and I have spent the better part of 28 years caring for our kids.

Now we are blessed with grandchildren and the clocks ticks by faster and faster.

I am saddened by all the terrible news we have had lately. Terrorists, and mass shootings, wars and self-serving political parties. I begin to wonder what kind of world we have created for our children and their children.

Are we really being the best stewards of what we have been given? Well yes, I think we are.

Each generation has had special challenges I am sure my grandparents thought the same thing I have thought back in the 1960s with turmoil throughout our country, nuclear destruction loomed over everybody’s head. It looked as though the end was near. Back in the 40s the world was at war and millions perished.

But I bet tomorrow the sun will come up, the river will flow.

Our community and lives will go on regardless of what the politicians will say. We must continue to build our community and our families to be the best they can be, we must still care for each other and love the time we have.

At this time when we all doubt in the human species we must all look to each other and see the beauty of God’s creation and be joyous in it.

Laugh with joy, hope, and love, that we are here today to be witness to all that his creation has to bring us.

Thank you all for your help and generosity to our community through your gifts to United Way, we build each day a better place for our children and for all the generations to follow.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Jeff Cothran

Executive Director, 

United Way of Selma & Dallas County