Well, we have officially reached 2017. Wow, another new year! I had the privilege of having some off time through the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. It was really nice just being able to kick back, enjoy a fire in the fireplace, watch some Christmas movies, a little football and spend some time with family. I cooked the big traditional New Year’s meal with plenty of black-eyed peas, collard greens, mashed potatoes, spiral sliced ham, cornbread and fried okra and enjoyed more time with family. Now, it’s time to get back in the swing of things.

Last week, I mentioned New Year goal-setting so I spent some time reflecting on my own goals and I hope you did, also. This week, I would like to ask you to join me in making 2017 the Year of Kindness.

In a world of hurry up and me, me, me, let’s slow down a little, notice those around us and spread some good cheer. We are all going through this game called life together and many are living right on the edge. It costs nothing to treat someone with respect regardless of their appearance or how they act. A kind word or gesture could make all the difference in their life.

There are some in our area who spread good cheer through the holidays. Bobby Nix, owner of the new Sears Hometown Store Leeds, received a call from Miss McCain asking about a refrigerator for the Woodlawn Booster Club. She said that she had been online looking at one and had the money raised for it. Because this store was the closest Sears store to Woodlawn, she wanted to know if they had one in stock. They happen to have exactly what she wanted. When Bobby hung up the phone, he felt a tug at his heart and the familiar whisper in his ear that he had learned to pay attention to as a Christian.

Bobby called her back and asked if he could meet with her the next day so she came by the store when she got off work. When Bobby sat down to talk with her, this is what he discovered: Miss McCain is a hard-working single parent with a son, Joseph, who is a tenth grader on the Woodlawn basketball team. Because of her son’s love for basketball and her love for her son, she is also the president of the booster club and works very hard to raise money for a travel team that her son plays on as well. She could not talk about her son without tears welling up in her eyes. You could see the pride and the hope that she had for him and the life that she hopes he will have.

After hearing her story Bobby said, “Look, I need customers in the store and you need a refrigerator and it looks like a freezer, too. I would like to donate a refrigerator and freezer to the booster club, but only if you agree for us to have a relationship together and do things in the future to help your son and kids just like him.”

When Bobby said this her mouth fell open and she began to cry. Bobby shed a couple of tears himself.

The reason that this story is being told is not to see Bobby Nix as a hero for donating something to a worthy cause. The real hero in the story is Ms. McCain! She embodies the unrelenting love and spirit of a mother who works hard, prays hard, and yes, even sheds a lot of quiet tears on behalf of her son.

Bobby Nix knows the sign on his door says that he is the owner of the Sears Hometown Store Leeds, but he also knows that it all belongs to his Heavenly Father. Bobby counts it a privilege to be able to be a blessing to one of His beloved!

Bobby Nix is also the owner of Right Stuff Bargain Center and Right Stuff Ministries, a Christian non-profit organization that works with at-risk children and teens.

Ivy Patillo and Lifting Spirits Senior Citizens, Inc. spent time through the Christmas holidays visiting local senior care facilities, loving on these senior adults and presented each one with a gift.

Because of the generous gifts of others, Shepherd Supply, Leeds Outreach and area churches who participated in the Angel Tree ministry, many families and children were blessed with Christmas gifts and food that they would otherwise not be able to enjoy.

Now that the holidays are over, our community organizations are back in the swing of things.

Leeds Lions Club will meet at 1 p.m. today, Jan. 5 at the Leeds Masonic Lodge Building.

Leeds Masonic Lodge Community Breakfast is scheduled at 8 a.m. this Saturday, Jan. 7. Breakfast is free, but donations would be appreciated. Contact T. V. Weaver for more information at (205) 699-6742.

The public is invited to the opening reception of the Leeds Arts Council’s featured artist, Chip Ghigna, this Sunday, Jan. 8 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center. Admission is free. Chip is a painter working in oils and acrylics from his studio in Birmingham and his paintings are exhibited in galleries and collections in the U.S. and France. His work will be on exhibit through Feb. 4. For more information, please visit his website at ChipGhigna.com.

Moody City Council will hold a work session following the 6 p.m. city council meeting on Monday, Jan. 9 at Moody City Hall.

LadyBUGS, Leeds/Moody Professional Women’s Organization will host their monthly luncheon meeting at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Livery Event Center. Lunch is $10 and RSVP to m.k.davis2010@gmail.com.

The City of Moody and the Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will conduct a ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at the new Main Street Family Urgent Care on Moody Parkway next to Bojangles.

The Central Parliamentary Unit is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 11 in the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Please contact Grady Sue Saxon at (205) 699-2440 for more information.

The Moody Area Chamber of Commerce will host their monthly Chamber luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 at Moody City Hall. Guest speaker this month will be Carol Dodgen who will speak on “Workplace Violence.” Also, the new Chamber Board of Directors will be installed by Mayor Joe Lee. Menu includes salad, grilled chicken tenders with grilled onions and gravy, herbed new potatoes, steamed vegetables, and your choice of dessert. Lunch is $10 with RSVP ($15 without RSVP) to Andrea Machen, Executive Director, at (205) 640-6262 and includes lunch, a great speaker and the opportunity to build relationships with other area business professionals.

Just a reminder that Jean’s Flowers is selling blue bows in honor of the police department and Moody Area Chamber of Commerce is selling window clings and yard signs to support our local police department.

Job Openings: McDonald’s, Jack’s and Sears Hometown Store Leeds.

Quote for the Week: “If serving is below you, leadership is beyond you.” – Anonymous.

I truly appreciate each of you who read my column and I really love sharing news, so please remember to send your Leeds and Moody news to me at leedsmoodynews@gmail.com. Also, remember to look around to lend a kind word or deed to someone this week and I’ll see you next week!