A time to reflect

Editorial Department • Published 23 Dec 2009 09:00 0 Comments

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While for many Christmas is a time to celebrate, it is also a time to reflect on the year we have had as well.

Our news pages this year have been a reflection of lives in general around the county - of happiness and of tragedy.

While there are happy faces of children enjoying their nativity plays and youngsters attending their school formal, it is easy to forget that Christmas can be a lonely and profoundly upsetting time for those who have lost loved ones close to Christmas or in the course of the years.

Fermanagh, as a rural county, has seen and continues to see too many fatal accidents on the roads.

While these may not be the reasons behind every fatal or serious accident on the road, drink driving, speeding, a careless approach and not taking account of difficult road conditions are all potentially fatal factors.

So as we spend the last final frenetic days before Christmas, spare a thought for others in the frantic time and show courtesy to other road users. Respect their right to life and refuse that party drink if you are driving and in frost and snow, slow down and take your time.

If ever there was a time to reflect, this is it. There are too many broken-hearted families out there already. Don't help to create more by inconsiderate and bad driving. Keep yourselves and others safe.

We should also reflect on the year it has been - a year when the shrinking economy has really bitten for some families.

There have been immense pressures on many and particularly at this time of year. We spare a thought for all those needing extra help over Christmas and through the year.

We wish all a quiet and peaceful Christmas and New Year.

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 23 Dec 09

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