If you thought the holidays were about joy and togetherness, Fresno is here to remind you otherwise.

The traffic alone is a master class in human impatience. Costco, Walmart, Target (pick your poison) are packed with last-minute shoppers scrambling for gifts or snacks for holiday parties.

Anthony W. Haddad
The Millennial View

Add in nearly an inch of rain in just a few hours, according to the National Weather Service, and suddenly everything that should feel festive feels precarious.

This morning, I couldn’t even leave my house. Rainwater had crept into yards, turning streets into shallow rivers. By the time the neighborhood finally drained enough to drive, I was greeted by the familiar tableau of holiday chaos: fender-benders, stalled cars, and people staring at their phones like the universe was about to send them directions.

Flooding isn’t just inconvenient; in Fresno County, it’s a full-contact sport.

Fresno, Take a Moment to Think

Here’s the truth: we need to take a beat. We need to slow down. The urge to cram a week’s worth of errands into a few hours is understandable, but right now, it’s dangerous. Parking lots look like obstacle courses, deliveries are delayed, and slick roads amplify the tiniest mistakes.

Our collective impatience, amplified by holiday stress, wet streets, and looming deadlines, could turn an ordinary errand into a tragedy. Even Santa would sweat if he had to navigate this chaos.

And the holiday partying? Don’t even get me started. The Fresno Police Department recently arrested 14 people for DUI. Officers aren’t taking breaks to sip cocoa by the fire … they’re on patrol, watching the same roads we all are. The department also said that there will be another DUI checkpoint Saturday.

If you’re drinking, please, find a ride. Use a designated driver. Your family’s morning shouldn’t start with a frantic bail call instead of opening presents.

This is the season of doing too much too fast, but it’s also the season to pause. Do only what you’re comfortable with. Leave extra time for every trip. Skip that extra platter if it means keeping yourself, and everyone else, safe. A few thoughtful minutes on the road are worth more than any holiday snack or last-minute gift.

Fresno, we’re resilient. But resilience isn’t about rushing headlong into chaos. It’s about noticing what’s happening around you, adjusting, and taking care of yourself and your neighbors. So slow down. Leave the house a few minutes earlier. Look both ways more than once. And for the love of guacamole dip, let someone else fight for that last parking space.

The holidays are supposed to be about connection, joy, and family. Right now, the most important gift you can give is simple: your safe presence.

Fresno, we’ve got this — if we just breathe.

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