Greetings to you and welcome to the post-holiday season.

 

It’s all good news and bad news…as always.

 

On the one hand, in general, the post-holiday season is a wonderful return to normal rituals, regular schedules, quieter times, healthier eating, and a simpler way of living.  On the other hand it’s emptier, lonelier, not nearly as exciting, and potentially depressing for many.  My home is always a sadder place without the joys and confusion that comes with lots of company, celebrations, food, laughter, and grandchildren.  (I leave the visiting children’s things around just to remind me that they’ll be back soon! ;-)

 

Beyond that, at this time in the school world, we are in the center of our budget season. That is never as much fun as children in “footie” pajamas cuddling on Christmas Eve! Certainly, no Santa Claus comes bearing gifts in this economy when it comes to budgets of any kind. 

 

There are so many people with so many opinions about budget decisions.  Whether it’s the spending decisions in the family, in the schools, in the town, or at the state and federal levels…the revenue/expenditure relationships are all fraught with conflicting goals and disagreement regarding priorities.

 

The best we can hope for is that the community will come together in a civil and caring way to discuss the complexities of developing young people in very economically challenging times.

 

It’s no wonder I miss the sweet moments with Santa and the grandkids!

 

Stay warm.

 

Donna