We have much to be grateful for this holiday season
As 2024 winds down and families gather to celebrate the holidays, we decided it was time to pause the weekly conversation about important issues facing Laramie County.
In advance of this weekend before Christmas, we asked Wyoming Tribune Eagle staff and editorial board members to offer their thoughts about what brings meaning to their holiday season and their feelings of gratitude (while also acknowledging that this can be a tough time for those who have experienced a personal loss and those who are struggling financially, mentally or otherwise).
Here’s some of what they told us:
Tim Joannides, community representative, WTE Editorial Board: “As I reflect back to memories of my childhood, young adulthood and now in my senior adulthood, I’ve been blessed in so many ways. And during the holidays, I recall and reflect on a lot of family traditions involving our church, our families and homes, and the communities I have lived in.
“But, most importantly, above all, as a son of an immigrant father who landed on Ellis Island in 1928, from the Island of Cyprus, and my grandparents, on my mother’s side, who also immigrated to this country, landing on Ellis Island from Greece, I vividly recall the stories they shared of their lives in the ‘Old Country,’ and the challenges and difficulties they faced growing up, which inspired and motivated them to leave their families and homeland to find the freedoms here in the U.S. that many of us take for granted!
“I am truly grateful and thankful for all the freedoms, liberties and quality of life we have, and to be able to enjoy and share them with our families and friends in this beautiful country of the USA, the state of Wyoming and the city of Cheyenne!!”
Taylor Staples, WTE arts and entertainment/features reporter: “When I think of the holidays, I think about the opportunity for relaxation, catching up with family and reliving nostalgic memories. I’m grateful to have a family that makes coming home for holidays enjoyable. I’m also grateful to have friends who like to stay in touch with me just as much as I do with them.
“To me, the holidays are also about sharing and receiving love, whether that be through quality time or through gifts and cooking.”
KristAn Salinas, WTE multimedia advertising executive: “The holidays, to me, are about family, gratitude and joy. I cherish cooking a special meal, exchanging gifts and seeing my kids’ excitement as they open presents.
“It’s also a time to reflect on the year and appreciate the opportunities I’ve had. I’m especially grateful for my role at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, where I’ve grown both personally and professionally, thanks to the incredible mentors and team who’ve supported me.”
Paulette Gadlin, community representative, WTE Editorial Board: “The holiday season, for me, is a time of peace, joy and happiness. The holiday season 2024 is here, but the current wars, bombs and politics overshadow it for me. I pray that soon there will be an end to the bombs, the hunger and the tears. Let peace be our fervent prayer.
“Let’s come together in the spirit of the holidays, hoping that children worldwide will experience a joy that transcends all understanding. Let’s all strive to find happiness that dispels confusion. And let’s remember that the true essence of our celebrations is Jesus Christ, a symbol of hope and love that should illuminate our thoughts and actions.
“As we enter the new year, let’s hold onto the hope for a world filled with peace, happiness and joy. Let’s pray for a brighter and more promising tomorrow for all.”
Ivy Secrest, WTE criminal justice reporter: “For me, the holidays are about spending time with my family. I am very lucky to have a lot of my close family members nearby. We all have different religious beliefs and practices, but in December, we’re all able to gather and combine traditions to spend time together.
“Personally, one of the best parts of Christmas for me is at the end of our church service, when we sing ‘Silent Night’ with lit candles. It’s serene and beautiful, and I will always appreciate that brief moment of community.”
Cassie Hesch, WTE classified recruitment specialist: “The holidays have always been a huge highlight in my world. It has always been a time for me to take a break from the hustle and bustle of my chaotic life. I have always been able to take the time to appreciate the people I love and spend some extra quality time with them that I otherwise do not have throughout the rest of the year. We take the time to bring light and love into our world to end the year on a happier note and bring that same light and love into the new year.
“In my family, we also take this time to reflect heavily on the past year. We are not big on resolutions or big changes for the new year, but reflection and gratitude for the time spent. Somehow, no matter how terrible things got throughout the year, the good has always outweighed the bad.”
Domenic Bravo, community representative, WTE Editorial Board: “The holidays are my favorite part of the year, and I am always excited as Visit Cheyenne helps create some magic with Old West Holiday. I am grateful for my amazing wife, kids, family and friends and the fantastic community we live in.”
Hannah Shields, WTE state government reporter: “The holidays, for me, are about the little things. It used to bother me that Christmas doesn’t feel the same as it did when I was a kid. That’s because, like everything else, Christmas changes as you get older.
“For me, Christmas is listening to Nutcracker music as I tear up, remembering my 20+ seasons as a ballet dancer and long rehearsal nights. Christmas is panicking on the 23rd of December as I buy last-minute gifts for my family (an annual tradition at this point). Christmas is a random night of admiring neighborhoods decked out in sparkling lights and decorations.
“I don’t stress out about not feeling the Christmas spirit. I let it come to me in the smallest way, but best way possible.”
Lindsey Hanlon, community representative, WTE Editorial Board: “This year, I am grateful for my friends. It has been a hard year for a lot of us, and we have had to lean on one another a lot. I am grateful for the people I can rely on, thick or thin, and the community we have built.”
Andy Lindgren, WTE multimedia advertising executive: “I appreciate that the holidays allow a little more time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. A little more time to spend with the people and animals in our lives. An opportunity to slow down a little to appreciate what we have.
“The holiday season also seems a good time to reflect on the state of our immediate family, our extended family, our country and the world we live in. It seems a good time to pray that radical positions be moderated and that extreme voices be ignored. It seems a good time to consider those less fortunate and those deemed less worthy. Merry Christmas to everyone!”
Bob Wilson, community representative, WTE Editorial Board: “I’m grateful for meaningful Christmas music. That includes the splendid old hymn ‘Savior of the Nations, Come.’ It is still running through my mind, and I’m humming the tune, long after we sang it together at the start of the church Advent season.
“This, and classic music like Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ inspire me to be in thankful anticipation: knowing Christ is the reason for celebrating the first Christmas again this month, and knowing the expectation of Jesus making all things right when He comes again.”
Brian Martin, WTE managing editor: “As I’ve gotten older (not necessarily wiser), I’ve learned to relax more and enjoy the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Sure, there are things to do, but when I let my ‘to do’ list overshadow my ‘gratitude’ list, the meaning of the season is lost.
“As we celebrate this special time of year, I pray that we all can take some time to reflect on the blessings in our life — our family; the people we call colleagues, neighbors and friends; and all of the love we have for one another.”
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, everyone!