Mayor’s Christmas Message
As we anxiously look forward to this New Year, we are indeed fortunate and grateful that we can rely on our resilience and positive attitude as members of our wonderful, beloved community. This year presents as an opportunity for enriching our lives and the lives of others. This opportunity can be achieved through acts of kindness and selflessness. In this message, I want to share a letter I received that exemplifies what acts of kindness can accomplish to enrich the lives of others. “To a special person, Wow! I don’t know where to start in thanking you. I’m grateful for kind people like yourself in this world at a time of need. A complete stranger helped me without even knowing me. This truly is something special. Know that what you’ve done has changed a mother and her four kids’ lives around. You were a big help in the escape of a dangerous situation. In some ways maybe even saved a life. You may not know the importance of what you did bit it was a start to the biggest change of our lives. My journey is still not complete but because of your kindness, we were able to get out and figure it out as we go. You really must be someone special to help someone you don’t even know. I really am truly grateful for people like you and only hope to be able to pay it forward someday. Thank you so much again. You were an angel in my world, and you really helped out a family in need at their worst. You truly are appreciated.” This letter I believe is written to all the members of our community who seek out the opportunity to help others improve their lives in time of crisis. How fortunate we are to live in a community wherein the words of Gandhi “mutual courtesy and respect is the foundation of culture.” A smile and hearty hello are welcome gifts to friends, neighbors, and visitors. Make them feel welcome. “There is no shortage of conversation in Shepherdstown.” Volunteering is always a welcome gift. Hospitals, animal shelters, schools are very appreciative of additional pairs of hands. These acts of kindness strengthen our community and prepare us for the future, please allow this quote from George Eliot be our guiding words for the coming year “what do we live for, if not to make the world less difficult for each other.”
Happy Holidays from the Mayor, Town Council, and our loyal and dedicated employees.
Jim Auxer, Mayor
