By Constable Georgia Estrada
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, most of us are expressing our gratitude for the holiday. Gratitude has a different meaning to each of us in everyday life. Gratitude can be associated by saying “thank you” to someone who has helped us in whatever situation or when we receive a gift. According to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary, to be Thankful is defined as appreciative of benefits received and Gratitude is a positive emotion within, which is important because of the purpose it serves. As I reflect on the 11 months of 2018, I am absolutely grateful for every opportunity that was a success and for the ones that failed. In 2018, there have been many “first times” in Amarillo that received both positive and negative recognition spreading from city wide, state wide, nationally, and worldwide. I cannot help but to focus on a particular area that has contributed putting Amarillo on the map! These events were totally against the traditional norm and out of the ordinary that began in 2017. These events took extreme risk of stepping out in faith and hoping that the seeds fell on good soil as they were being plowed. I must say that 2018 is the year of reaping from the hard work and burning of the midnight oil.
I can not help but to become emotional while I think back these past months. My heart swells as I reflect on the events that were not a solo act but took the great people of Amarillo to contribute in the recognition. As one of the elected officials of the county and of precinct two, I am grateful and proud of these events that have made 2018 an exceptional year. We seen the adoption of the neighborhood development plans from the City of Amarillo, one of those neighborhoods being the east side Barrio. The first published Historical Barrio Book that raised funds to help with the Barrio development plan. The 2018 Step Up to Success hosted by Los Barrios de Amarillo with 700 Seniors from varies high schools from the Panhandle promoting higher education and an insight to various careers. Not to mention that earlier this year, Los Barrios de Amarillo awarded 45 scholarships to graduates across the Panhandle. One being the Constable Georgia Estrada Scholarship for the amount of $1500.00 to Cer Sung, a graduate from Palo Duro High School. There were two state awards also given in 2018 that recognized Potter County PCT. 2. The American Planning Association 2018 State Award to Potter County Commissioner Mercy Murguia and the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association Award for Constable of the Year, in which I was the first female to receive this award. The highest turnout of voters ever in the history of PCT. 2 for a midterm election. Caprock High School football team making history in winning the first playoff game since 1975.
Although, family is most important and is my foundation, I will always have these events engraved in my heart and forever grateful for the great citizens of Amarillo. I will end with a quote from Zig Ziglar, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”
Remember the Sun rises in the east.
Estrada/Facebook