Merry Christmas.
Yes, we are a day away, this being the eve of Christmas, but we want to share the joy of the season.
With that, let's check our list of some Christmas wishes for folks who frequent this space.
For the families of the five fallen heroes of Chattanooga's terror attacks, may you find the closest thing to peace this Christmas season you can. And please know all of us are forever grateful for the service and sacrifice of your loved ones.
For Fred Fletcher and his team, and Sheriff Jim Hammond and his deputies, here's hoping you know there are far more of us who greatly appreciate your commitment and courage.
For the members of the Hamilton County Commission, may you get the courage to do away with the discretionary funds County Mayor Jim Coppinger tried to eliminate last spring. Let's figure out a way to do this better - with more transparency - where the taxpayers are not funding a six-figure, voter-pleasing slush fund.
For those blessed souls at Signal Mountain Church of Christ and the thousands of you who have prayed my mother through the first rounds of her fight against cancer, accept my thanks and heartfelt gratitude. She has fought to a place of better health and gets better news from doctors each week. Thank you very much.
For East Ridge High School football Coach Tracy Malone, here's hoping you realize sooner rather than later the difference you made in a community in general, and in the lives of a special football team in particular, this year. Thanks for the ride, Pioneers.
For the family of Scotty Probasco, who left us this year to be Chattanooga's cheerleader with the Lord, here's a tip of the cap for sharing his great spirit and great generosity with our town. We're all the better for it.
For the leaders of our fair and improving city, may you learn from the examples set by Dalton Roberts, who is now watching birds from on high. Roberts was a difference maker in the political sphere without making it about him. We need more like him in office.
For the Hamilton County Board of Education, may you respond and lead when needed after the challenges brought from the recent education report. Here's saying that Rhonda Thurman's challenge - she wondered accurately whether the school board has the courage to make the changes needed - was as truthful and insightful as it gets.
For UTC basketball Coach Matt McCall, may you and your young family find as much happiness here as I have. This is a great place to live and raise a family. (And yes, if this sounds like a pitch to stay, well, it is. We all know the job offers will come for a coach with your talent, Matt. And at some point you will have to go, but all of Chattanooga should enjoy you while you are ours.)
Finally, for all of those within the reach of the TFP and who know the meaning of Chattanooga Strong, here's hoping we are a million years from having to be Chattanooga Strong again.
Merry Christmas.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com. His "Right to the Point" column appears on A2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Follow him at Twitter.com/jgreesontfp.