Thank Decatur for lights

It was Dec. 16 and here I was on the dark and crowded highway headed southeast. It would soon be dark. My cousin and her husband had invited me to spend the weekend with them in Decatur. I hadn’t been anywhere in so long that I was excited about this trip.

My mind was full of all the problems and fears in our country and around the globe. I found it difficult to focus on the joys of Christmas. It was so dark and each minute felt like 15. After a couple of hours, I passed Meridian and in about 30 minutes turned right on the little two-lane to Decatur. Yeah!

I began to see Christmas lights here and there. I saw a hill decorated with about 30 life-sized figures of angels welcoming everyone to the county. Little lights, big lights, all colors, some in motion, all were gorgeous! Arriving at the town, there were more lights. It didn’t matter what shape a house or store were in – and some were quite dilapidated. Lights were everywhere.

Some of these decorations had to be decades old. They were much more intricate and interesting than modern ones. I especially liked the lights of toyland. There were bike wheels, truck wheels, and wagon wheels that kept spinning. I saw the little town had only a few shops open. There was a drug store, a Mexican restaurant, and three boutiques.

Gloria and Harry met me at the door of their adorable country house. It had one tree outside and another inside. They were filling Christmas boxes with delicious fruit cake cookies, fig preserves, and other goodies to mail friends.

I’m sure residents of Decatur have reasons to be angry, confused, and scared like many citizens, but somehow they managed to turn the little town into a delightful Christmas masterpiece. The people in the Decatur community seem to realize what is most important. We will always have politics, wars and challenges. We might not have everything we want or even everything we need. We can make the best of what we do have with others.

Thanks to everyone who decorated for Christmas and put up those fabulous lights. Thank you for sharing your happiness and joy.

Caroline Ward

Pelham, Ala.

‘Separation’ doesn’t mean no religion

I am sitting here reading the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which says, “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” 

We hear so much today about the separation clause to the Constitution. Would someone please tell me where the word “separation” appears in this amendment? Would someone please tell me when Congress passed a law respecting the establishment of religion?

I would be against a state religion even if it were Baptist.

People who are always using the word “separation” seem to forget the clause “nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Isn’t it amazing that these people spend so much time and money fighting a God they don’t even believe exists?

Until Congress makes such law, please quit trying to prohibit us of our right to the free exercise thereof. 

Dr. Albert McMullen

Meridian