If you woke up in Iredell County today, Merry Christmas!

We are all fortunate to live in such a caring and giving community. Here’s a list of Christmas blessings:

We have access to quality health care, including doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who have worked tirelessly to care for COVID-19 patients during the past two years. And we have a team of public health professionals who have worked around the clock to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools, nursing homes and public gathering places.

We have two great public school systems with competent and capable administrators, teachers and support staff who have dedicated their professional lives to educating our children. We’re also fortunate to have a couple of excellent nonprofit charter schools and an outstanding community college with two campuses.

There are plenty of employment opportunities for folks looking for work.

Our law enforcement agencies are first-rate and are generally appreciated and respected by the people they protect and serve.

Our downtowns are safe and vibrant places with locally owned businesses and restaurants.

The network of nonprofit agencies that serve our neighbors in need — from the volunteer rescue squads to agencies that serve children, the elderly and homeless — is remarkable.

We have an abundance of clean water and a mild climate, and we’re a short drive from beautiful beaches and majestic mountains.

It’s easy to take these things for granted, but millions of people around the world do not have access to any of these things.

No community is perfect, but Iredell County is a great place to be!