The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

December Is Preparation Time

by: Dessa Rodeffer, Publisher

5 December 2001

"Life is like riding a bicycle. You don't fall off unless you stop pedaling." - Claude Pepper

What does that have to do with the month of December, you ask?

I believe this is the most hectic month of the year, and the only way to make it through, is to keep pedaling like crazy.

The minute the turkey and dressing are gone in November, people grab their hats and coats and head for the stores to shop.

Those with school age children prepare for concerts and programs. Communities are busy with parades, open houses, and tree lighting ceremonies.

Churches prepare during what they call "The Advent" season for the birth of the Savior.

There is the hanging of the greens (decorating of the church), collecting for the food pantries, angel trees, choir practices, cookie baking, basket making, and the list goes on and on.

Then, of course, there is the eat and exercise program which usually consists of more eating than exercising.

The key to anything, they say is "preparation".

I know that is true if you are planning a meal for company that is coming. I know it is true for programs that we organize. I know it is true for our wedding days, and anniversary and birthday celebrations.

After my Diamond Anniversary Celebration I have learned that part of preparing is learning what to leave out, and when to quit.

Of course, that is true in the newspaper business, too.

In writing, someone taught me the KISS principle, and that is "Keep It Simple, Stupid". That means edit, edit, edit.

In my plans for the Diamond Anniversary, I was constantly reminded not to add too much or I would lose sight of the purpose of my celebration.

There were so many people that have helped me along the way that I kept wanting to add people in my program. But, I constantly reviewed the purpose of my Veterans Day event and that was to honor veterans and those serving in life-threatening jobs of police, fire, and rescue work and to honor my family's history of newspaper publishing.

Anything else, I had to edit back out. If I hadn't, the feeling of honoring our Hometown Heroes would have been lost in the crowd.

I think in our preparation for Christmas, we too, must keep things simple and to the point in order that we not forget why we celebrate this holy day of Christmas.

If we cut back on all the excesses that really are not going to enhance our celebration, we should feel less stressed, and more prepared to celebrate the simple birth of a savior on Christmas morning.

Just keep focused, edit, edit, edit, use the KISS principle, and keep pedaling.

Happy Advent.