Views regarding the best and worst parts of the holiday season

Each December, the holiday season annually brings on a mixture of activities, challenges and feelings for everyone involved.

In this feature, some local public servants share their views on the best and worst parts of the season.

TONA BOWEN (Houston city administrator):

Best – “The best parts of the Holiday season are the time with family and friends creating the memories that last a lifetime. I enjoy looking back at the holidays when my kids were little and seeing the joy in their eyes. I am also so thankful that the great I Am became a baby, opening the gates of heaven for those who accept his free gift of eternal life.”   

Worst – “The worst part of the holidays is how sad the season can be for some. We all know people who can’t afford the ‘things’ that go with the season. Also, life events still happen during this time of year. People will leave this earth and families will grieve instead of being with their loved ones for a joyous gathering. The military and police officers keeping us safe will not be making memories with their families, but their brothers in arms.

“I hope the citizens of Houston all find some joy this season and as we look to 2019, we can work together to make the community stronger and more vibrant.”

•SCOTT LONG (Texas County presiding commissioner-elect):

Best –  “1. The birth of our savior. We must remember the reason for the season and remember to give thanks for the many blessings the Lord has provided for us.

2. The time I have with family and friends is a wonderful part of the season for me. I have come to realize the relationships you build in life are the most important. The time we have here is short, so make the most of it with your loved ones.

3. I also enjoy the many delicious foods of the holidays. It would not be Christmas without the different types of candies and cookies that we share with our neighbors.”

Worst – “I really do not find parts of the season I cannot deal with. It would be nice if we could slow down a little and enjoy our time together but I understand the reason why people are busy. It would also be nice if we as consumers were not bombarded with all the commercialization of the holiday season, but my grandfather taught me years ago that you need to make hay while the sun is shinning and as long as we have Christmas and giving we will always have commercialization of the holiday.”

•LORETTE SMITH (Texas County Library system executive director):

Best – “The best part about the holidays is spending time with family especially those that you may have not seen in a while. The ‘coming home’ feel of this time of year is one of the best whenever I get together with all my

family. Oh, and one other best part of the holiday season is all the Hallmark Christmas movies!”

Worst – “The worst part of the holiday season would be the way people get about shopping for Christmas. I love giving and getting presents, but the best ones are the ones that are ‘made,’ not necessarily ‘bought.’”

•ROB HARRINGTON (City of Houston economic development director):

Best – “The best part of the holidays for me is spending time with those I love and remembering the real reason for the season. Being around my family and friends reminds me that there is so much more in this world to be thankful for than the presents that are under the tree: That I am loved by a gracious God, blessed with an amazing family, and true friends who love me. I am able to

provide for that family because I have an amazing job, and that God has granted me to live another day to enjoy these blessings.”

•Worst – “Honestly, this will sound cliché, but to me there is not really a worst part of the holiday. I really look at life through a different lens because even at those moments when I am irritated I take a minute to take a deep breath and realize that even though it doesn’t feel like it that moment is also a blessing. Being able to get gifts for the ones I love and share a joyous holiday with everyone I get to is truly a blessing, and every minute I get to remember that is something that I cherish. Life is what you make of it and even during the bad times there is always opportunity to thank God for what you have.”

•EARLENE STOOPS (Healthy Schools Healthy Communities community wellness coordinator):

Best – “The best parts of the holiday season for me is remembering the birth of Christ and the sacrifice He made for us and that is the best free gift ever. I love having my family – especially my kids and my grandkids – under one roof having a wonderful time; the smell of turkey, yeast rolls and all the fixin’s, the Christmas songs and lights and the magic of the laughter of the children and just seeing their eyes light up. Jesus is the reason for the season for sure.”

Worst – “The worst part is knowing somewhere there are people who are all alone during the holidays, knowing there are homeless people, lost people and just that the meaning of Christmas sometimes gets lost in all of this worry of trying to make things perfect. That there are some who don’t know about how much God loves us that He gave his only begotten son that we would not perish, and that it is not about the presents, but about the true meaning of love and that is: ‘Greater love hath no man (Jesus) than this, that a man laid down his life for his friends.’ And that is just what Jesus did for us if we will only just accept the most important free gift of all.”

•KATIE MUTZEBAUGH (Texas County Food Pantry executive director):

Best – “The best part of the holiday season for us at the food pantry is the number of individuals, businesses and families that come here and request to

adopt a family for the holidays. Texas County is truly blessed to have so many in our community so willing to help others.” 

Worst – “The worst part of our holiday season is the amount of individuals who come through Texas County on their way home for the holidays, who have met difficulties on their way. It is harder for us to help these individuals because of the transportation difficulties that Texas County faces.” 

•SCOTT LINDSEY (Texas County sheriff):

Best – “The best parts of Christmas for me are spending time with family, enjoying a traditional holiday meal and seeing the joy that my kids get from receiving gifts. Getting a chance to see that joy with a few other kids during

shop with a cop is also an uplifting experience. I also enjoy seeing all the light displays and decorations around our towns.”

Worst – “The worst parts of Christmas are missing grandparents and other family members who are no longer with us and the traditions we had with them when I was a kid. Taking down the decorations and cleaning up is not fun, either.”    

•ANGIE QUINLAN (Houston Area Chamber of Commerce executive director):

Best – “Christmas for me has always been a little different than for most people. Mom has always done the Share Your Christmas program, and we are always there on Christmas Eve. For me, the best thing is giving to the less fortunate. When someone comes to pick their children’s Christmas presents

up, and you see the joy and relief on their face, it just gives you a warm happy feeling. To know that a child is not going to do without on Christmas is the best feeling in the world. My second favorite thing about Christmas is spending time with family. Reminiscing about the past, laughing and cutting up and just being with those who you love.”

Worst – “The worst parts would be the commercialism. Everyone is out buying the newest, most expensive toy, etc., and they are forgetting the true meaning of Christmas.”

•TIM CEPLINA (Houston Police Department chief):

Best – “For me the best part of the holidays is getting to visit people I haven’t seen in a long time. As families get older, time seems to get away and we don’t visit as much. I also like knowing the real reason is faith based. Our kids are older now and presents aren’t as important. Family and faith are.”

Worst – “In law enforcement, since we always work, we rotate half on, half off for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This way each officer gets family time. That’s a hard part. It’s also difficult to witness how some folks struggle with the holidays. It can be a lonely time for some. Our calls tend to increase for domestic issues this time of year. Keep those people in mind. A simple phone call can go a long way.”