Tis the season to celebrate the reason for the season, the birthday of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He brought the good news that although sinners, we can be saved by God’s grace and mercy. For that I am eternally grateful and try to live my life with an attitude of gratitude for so many blessings; my family and friends, the republic we live in guaranteeing us a freedom of choice in all aspects of life, the many people who provide the services I am apt to take for granted, such as the mailman, sanitary workers, newspaper carriers, cashiers, clerks, firemen, policemen, etc. Do they exhibit a genuine attitude of gratitude for having a job, a happiness to be of service, and opportunity to serve and to make a difference, to practice the Gold Rule? The majority of the people I deal with do have these qualities, and I thank them.

There is one individual in particular that deserves special recognition. I have known him since kindergarten, and in each position he has held, be it class president, teacher, coach, elementary principal, insurance agent or state senator, his conduct has been of the highest standard and his manner one of humble gratitude for the opportunity to serve. His greatest joy seemed to be accomplishing a task that benefited his classmates, students, clients and constituents.

I, personally, went to him with a plea for help in funding the Sunshine Shelter for Abused Children, and within 10 days of presenting my request, he found the necessary funds, and Adams County was able to provide a safe haven for those whose voices were being silenced by their abusers. It took a bit longer to give our abused animals a voice, four years of persistent battling to add cats to the cruelty to animals code and outlaw hog/dog fights and seven more years to make it a felony to abuse our precious animals.

He has added financial security to those of us retiring by eliminating state income taxes on our retirement income. The extra dollars can pay for some recreation time at Percy Quinn State Park, which has been renovated and upgraded to the tune of $11.3 million he got them. It is definitely more pleasurable to make the drive over improved highways — four-lane sections of 24/48, 98 and 84 — thanks to his efforts.

Let’s not forget the monies he secured for our Natchez State Park, our Natchez Trails Project, the Natchez Bluff Stabilization and the Natchez City Cemetery. Also important was his work authoring the law creating Natchez Inc., which also authorized Natchez-Adams County to make contributions that are providing hundreds of new jobs coming to Southwest Mississippi.

There are many, many more good laws that are now on the books because of this man’s desire to make a difference in the everyday life of the people living in the state of Mississippi, particularly in Senate District 37.

I know because I went to the website of the Mississippi Legislature and found out all about the good works of my lifelong friend and tireless advocate, Bob M. Dearing.

He does believe in practicing the Golden Rule with an attitude of gratitude.

So let me say to you, Bob M. (and I know the M. stands for Montgomery), Merry Christmas and thank you and God bless you and your wonderful family. I will be watching with interest your next leadership role, which I know will benefit all of us, because this is who you are.