Bartlett residents tell us their wish for a happy holiday
By Brian Bloom
Regional Manager
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth!
Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth, then I could wish you “Merry Christmas.”
With apologies to 1946 composer Don Gardner, the wishes of a number of Bartlett residents were a little more than dental work.
Christmas wishes reflect the hope of many. As we slow down to take a minute from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s our chance to look within us to what the holidays mean.
As the city and the nation recover from a recession, the answers ran the gambit of the silly to the serious. But each of those who took the time to ponder a question that is far from simple took the moment to remember the reason for the season.
David Weimar, of Weimer’s Jewelers, was adamant that “Peace on Earth, Good will toward men,” reflected his wish for the season. “My daughter will be home after the new years,” Weimer said, “what more do I need?”
“There’s lot of stuff I want,” Craig Esrael, president of First South Financial admitted. “Most of all, I want our leaders in Washington to make decisions that are good for our country in the long run rather than focusing solely on the next election.”
City administrator Mark Brown was more succinct. His wish for the 2013 Memphis Tiger football team to go 12-0 may truly require a Christmas miracle.
Former alderman and city administrator Jay Rainey was solemn in his response.
“I’ve got plenty of things,” he said. “I just want to cherish the friendships I have. You don’t really realize all they mean until you have something like this… What I want, God can’t provide.”
Bartlett Police Chief Gary Rikard wishes not only for a healthy family but a safe Christmas for everybody.
Cary Vaughn, CEO of Love Worth Finding Ministries wants people to “remember that it’s Christ’s birthday and not ours. We get into the festivities of it all and we forget what Christmas is really about,” Vaughn said. “And second,” he added, “to enjoy the time with family and friends.”
Alderman Emily Elliott grew solemn in her response.
“In light of the situation of the school shooting, people need to be mindful of how invaluable life is,” Elliott said. “We’re only here for a short time and we need to be loving one another.”
Debbie Morrison, director of community relations in Bartlett has a wish many hope to share. “To have a wonderful time with my family because we will all be together,” she smiled.
Family was a majority topic in response to the query.
New Bartlett Alderman Paula Sedgwick wants health for her family and that they may all be together for the holidays.
Judge Freeman Marr also wanted family happiness. “I’ve been more than generously treated,” he replied. “I have my family coming for Christmas, what more can I ask for?”
Bartlett vice Mayor Jack Young said he hoped for more opportunities to gather as a community in peace. “I pray nothing that happened in Connecticut will ever happen here.”
Bartlett Chamber of Commerce Director thought of his constituency. “I want our members to have a prosperous year,” Threadgill said. “I wish for a thriving community – economically well and healthy.”
