By Sarah Stephens
Elmore/Autauga News
Just checking on our readers. How are you doing out there on this warm, sunny day? How did you survive the deep freeze?
We are in this time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It can be a confusing time. We are still in holiday mode, even if some of us are technically supposed to be working. I still have a jug of eggnog in the refrigerator. The holiday cannot be over yet.
My usual flow of about 150 emails a day has dropped dramatically to around eight this week. Most of those are a long-lost relative who died and his estate wants me to inherit $10 million. The rest are supposedly from Yahoo telling me my account will be canceled because I have not upgraded.
I have been staying busy taking care of Chrissy the Miracle Cat. She is the kitten that was found frozen to a storm drain on Christmas Eve in Millbrook. She came to us injured, terrified and pitiful. A bit ago she jumped off the daybed in my office and crawled up my legs to sit in my lap. She is purring loudly, and making it difficult to type. I love her.
We have had several offers of people wanting to adopt her. As soon as she heals a bit more, she will have a new home. I love her dearly, but I have a Zoo already. She is going to make someone a wonderful, loving, cat.
So, while things are a little bit quieter than normal on the news front, we are still here. Bad news always comes uninvited, however.
I want to take a moment to ask for prayers for the family of Autauga County Sheriff Joe Sedinger, including his precious wife, Leona and his children. This has been a huge, unexpected blow to the department. I have been moved by the amount of agencies and individuals who have been posting memories of Sheriff Joe. I am going to miss his daily posts to Facebook. There is no doubt he loved his God, his family and Autauga County. He has earned a spot in Heaven, because he witnessed a lot of Hell on this earth as a longtime law enforcement officer and military veteran.
So, as we muddle through this week, and prepare for a New Year, gather your family and friends. Take note of your blessings, not your troubles. There is no telling what we will be doing, and who will still be around us, next year at this time. Do not take anything or anyone for granted.
May we all have a blessed and SAFE New Year sweet readers. Thank you to our readers and advertisers who keep this news machine going. Thank you to our small but mighty staff who are passionate about community news.
Sarah Stephens is the founder of the Elmore/Autauga News and lives in Deatsville with her husband and zoo of critters. She can be reached at editorsarah@yahoo.com.
