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Hernando Today

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 4, 2008

Updated: 01/03/2008 08:55 pm

Valuable Christmas

Lessons Learned

The day after Christmas, my girls and I decided to take their grandmother to the beautiful area of Tampa for a warm weather retreat. We enjoyed 80-degree weather and came back to a light dusting of snow in Chattanooga, Tenn., on our return Tuesday. The shock of the cold weather has kept me in my pajamas! Our time there was glorious except for one little mishap that taught me several invaluable lessons.

We decided to go to Busch Gardens one day. It was beyond crowded that day, but we did have a wonderful time with the girls walking around and looking at the animals. The up side to Busch Gardens is that even if you are there for five hours and only get to do two things, see the animals and the beautiful landscaping in the process. Near the end of our time there, my mother-in-law accidentally left my Christmas present on a picnic table and walked off. My Christmas present this year was a digital video camera to capture all those fun moments that only video can capture.

Within 10 minutes we realized that it was missing, and I literally ran back to the table to find the camera. Alas, it was not there. Video cameras can be replaced, and I realized this immediately. What left a gnawing feeling inside me was that every Christmas picture I took this year was on that camera. Those cannot be replaced. I will never be able to look back at my children's 7- and 11-year-old Christmas again. That saddened me immensely. So, here are the lessons learned:

1. Always take the video off the camera before taking the camera on vacation. Immediate back-ups are a great idea.

2. Put your name and cell phone number on your camera. I still believe there are more good people out there than bad.

I sat there lamenting over my loss and realized that it made me quite sick that someone would take something so personal from me. I have never had anything of value stolen before. I went from sadness to madness. I mean, the person who stole it doesn't have the charger or the software to use it, but still they took it.

I started wondering what that person would be like. Would they even look at the video on the camera? What would they think of my family if they did? Would I be proud for a stranger to see how we react to Christmas or would I be ashamed about the video on my camera. It was at this point that it hit me:

Every Christmas morning before going downstairs to open our Christmas presents, my children read the story of Jesus' birth from the book of Luke in the Bible. We all sit on the bed and read the story together to get a little perspective on the greatest gift the world has ever received - to get a perspective on why we even celebrate Christmas.

It brought me a sense of relief, pride (but not a puffed up kind) and hope. Maybe, just maybe, the person who took my camera might become curious and look back at video on that camera. They might find the perspective they need for this holiday season. Maybe, just maybe, it might make a change in their life. Perhaps, that little camera can become a witness to a better way of life.

Maybe.

Meanwhile, I sit here in Chattanooga freezing and knowing that I will have those memories preserved in my mind of seeing the excitement of my children. It also taught me to take in every moment with them fully. So, even though I lost a camera and a Christmas present, I received a better understanding of life - what is important - and lessons to prevent the same thing from happening in the future.

Julie Davis

Chattanooga, Tenn.

Old Goodwill Store To Close,

New Superstore To Open

I'm sorry to announce that the Brooksville Goodwill store at 1260 S. Broad Street is scheduled to close when our lease expires April 30. Goodwill has operated a store in Brooksville since the 1970s, and we know that many loyal Brooksville shoppers will be saddened to learn that an "old friend" is moving away.

This decision was difficult but necessary. Small stores are just not as successful in a market dominated by large discount retailers. To compete, Goodwill is opening a superstore in Spring Hill this summer.

Goodwill's services are supported in part by our store sales. Successful stores are therefore critical to our programs that assist people who have disabilities and disadvantages. Larger stores attract more shoppers, while providing economies of scale and relatively lower overhead costs.

The new Spring Hill superstore may not be as convenient for Brooksville shoppers, but I think you'll find it worth the drive. It will be an exciting shopping destination as well as a modern and spacious work environment that will enable Goodwill to employ even more people in Hernando County.

I sincerely thank the people of Brooksville for your patronage over the years. I hope you'll continue to support Goodwill's mission by shopping and donating at our new Spring Hill superstore.

R. Lee Waits,

president and CEO,

Goodwill Industries-

Suncoast

St. Petersburg

Religion And Politics

On Aug. 5, 1620, Pilgrims sailed from England aboard the Mayflower to North America in search of a safe place to practice their religion.

Article Vl, clause 3, of the U. S. Constitution states that, "The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust under the United States."

Americans should be concerned about a candidate for president of the United States who is on a constant attack mode about an opponent's religious faith rather than concentrating on the issues.

Mike Huckabee, in his zeal to become president of the United States, in his egoism, fails to support Article Vl of the Constitution. He claims to be a Christian, but he has been on a continuous attack mode of Mitt Romney's religious faith.

In a political race what is important is a person's character, stand on the issues that affect Americans and how that person will deal with a global political environment.

I am 76 years old, a baptized practicing Christian, served four years in the U.S. Air Force because of the love for my country and in defense of our freedom and the Constitution. I'm not a supporter of Mitt Romney, but defend his right to practice a religious faith of his choice and to run for public office. Mike Huckabee is wrong!

Darrell W. Weston

Beverly Hills

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