Dear Editor,

December came in so fast I could hardly believe it. But regardless as to whether I believe it or not, it’s here. Well, as everyone knows, Christmas is the holiday that is celebrated in December. That’s good news.

I’m an old country girl that grew up right here in Baxley and celebrating holidays was an absolute joy, especially Christmas. But as I walked around a large retail business in Baxley it didn’t feel very much like Christmas. There was not a sound of Christmas anywhere in the store (Please tell me I was in the wrong department). Did I go in the store too early? Come to think of it I was in the store before Thanksgiving and I saw the displays but I didn’t think too much of it because December was not here yet. But I went in the store on December 3, the displays of things you purchase for the Christmas season were still up and I even purchased a few things but there was no joy in the atmosphere. The sales clerks and the cashiers seemed to have been on edge when I said my cheery “Merry Christmas.”

Now I’ve been known to take things the wrong way but if I’m in err on this one correct me and I’ll give it some serious thought. After all, I do spend a little money in this particular store and do walk the aisles often to see what the sales are but the absence of hearing Merry Christmas and the lack of hearing festive music to set the tone for such a magnificent season broke my little heart. “Happy Holiday” is a great greeting if you don’t know what holiday is being celebrated, but we all know that it’s Christmas. I may be taking this personally, but there’s a smile on one’s face and it lights up when one says, “Merry Christmas.” It just brightens your day. The “Merry Christmas,” that I’m talking about is “Joy to the World.” Don’t you think we need a little joy in this old world! “Peace on earth and Good Will to Men,” aren’t we looking for a little peace?

Will we be able to hear the bells on Christmas Day? I hope so. Merry Christmas.

Thanks for allowing this article to be placed in my hometown newspaper. I’ve never written before but I could not hold my emotions on this one.

Carolyn Wade