Peace and goodwill to all this Christmas time
There are few people who won't be sorry to see the back of 2011. It was a tough year for all with more job losses, pay cuts and a raft of new taxes and charges announced in the most recent Budget. But Christmas time is a perfect time for people to reconnect not just with each other but with the things that are most important in life - family, friends, health and good will. And while there may not be as much money around this year for fancy or expensive gifts, just taking that time out to spend with family and friends is the best gift of all.
So if you think you have it tough, spare a thought for those less well off this Christmas. While we may be going through one of the toughest recessions this country has seen in years, there are well over 500 million people in the world living in "absolute poverty", according to the World Bank with an estimated 15 million children dying of hunger every year.
It is encouraging despite the tough economic times we're in to see that donations to the Cavan Lions Club and the St Vincent de Paul were at record highs this year. Thanks to the generosity of many, the Cavan Lions Club distributed 325 food hampers across County Cavan last Sunday (see page 6).
The Christmas spirit of giving is still very much alive in County Cavan in 2011. There are few people in County Cavan, if any, who will go hungry this Christmas day.
There are now 450,000 people in the country unemployed. Spare a thought this week, in particular, for all of those who lost their jobs in 2011 - most recently the 29 workers at Kingscourt Brick who were told in Christmas week that the plant was closing.
Christmas time can be a painful time too for many as they remember the loved ones that have passed on to their eternal rewards. Think of the family of 24-year-old Bailieboro man, Paddy Bird, who was killed in a gas explosion in Australia last week. This must be an incredibly difficult time for his family - his mother Kathleen, father Francis, brother Francis and sister Julie - to have lost a talented and much-loved son and brother, so suddenly and tragically.
Think too of the Wallwork family in Sligo. Trevor Wallwork (50) and his children Kim (12) and Harry (9) died on Sunday evening in their home watching TV from what is believed to be carbon monoxide poisoning.
Let this be a lesson to all homeowners to go out and get a carbon monoxide detector before Christmas time. Also, check that all your smoke alarms are working and be careful not to overload plugs at this time and follow all the basic fire safety precautions in the home as far as Christmas lights or decorations and candles are concerned. Some careful checks and vigilance can be the difference in life and death this Christmas.
Similarly, take care on the roads - particularly if there is frost or snow about. Leave plenty of time to travel to your destination and never drink and drive.
We do not need any more needless tragedies this year.
Remember Christmas time, celebrating the birth of Jesus and the holy family, is a time for celebrating the things that truly matter. Let the star of Bethlehem be a beacon of hope to us all for 2012 and the future.
Wishing all of our loyal readers and advertisers a very happy Christmas.
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