With the hustle and bustle of the holidays in full swing, it’s easy for the true meaning of this sacred season to get lost as we strive to plan perfect parties, purchase perfect gifts and festoon our homes with perfect Christmas decorations.  Despite the best of intentions, all of this striving can distract from the true reason for the season.  Sometimes the best parties are those impromptu family gatherings around the kitchen table; the best present really is simply our presence; and the best decorations are those that nature provides – freshly fallen snow, icicles glistening in the sun, the stars that light up a crisp night’s sky, snow-capped evergreens, and deer and chipmunks scampering about. 

If you’re like me, you probably find yourself in perpetual motion, constantly working to achieve something, to make the world a better place.  While there is certainly merit to that and a time and place for it, this holiday season, I invite you to join me in slowing down a bit and experiencing moments instead of getting so wrapped up in trying to create them.  Look around you and take it all in.  Appreciate all you have, and instead of focusing on the things we all want – and convince ourselves we need to be happy – think about all the ways to brighten others’ days that don’t cost anything more than our time.  Visit an elderly neighbor, build a snowman with our kids, go sledding or ice skating with our friends, bask in the glow of the fire with a spouse, tell grandkids stories about the “good old days,” or just go for a walk and appreciate the beauty of the day.

One great way to appreciate this beauty is by taking a hike in one of our wonderful Missouri state parks. On Jan. 1, 40 state parks will be hosting a “First Day Hike” event as a part of a program series sponsored by America’s State Parks. Head over to Knob Noster State Park at 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day for a walking tour of the woodlands and waterways guided by the park’s naturalist. For more information, contact the park office at (660) 563-2463.

This holiday season, as I take time to reflect, I will first and foremost give thanks for my family and dear friends, all of whom give meaning and purpose to my life, and without whom I would not be able to do all I do throughout the year in service to Senate District 21.  I will also be mindful of taking time to recharge, as the year ahead promises to be a busy one.

Once the New Year kicks off, it will be back to Jefferson City to join my colleagues in the General Assembly for the start of a new legislative session.  I will be working hard to ensure Missourians’ interests are best served.  To that end, I am proud to be sponsoring bills that will make our roads safer, our schools better, our colleges more affordable and political campaigning more ethical. 

It will be a busy year and I am looking forward to it.  But first, I’m going to take some time to think about why I work so hard.  For me, the answer to that question is the reason for the season.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at (866) 277-0882 (toll-free) or (573) 751-2272, or by fax at (573) 526-7381.