Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it WAS a wonderful day. Dinner duties having been taken away from me this year, I was able to relax and cook a yummy breakfast for the family before we headed to Helena and my sister-in-law's home for the feast. I did miss cooking...a little...this year, but it all worked out in the end. We're taking the kiddos to Disneyland in 6 days, and so it was nice to not have to stress out about a houseful and a big dinner!
**p.s.** Looks on their faces were priceless when we sprung it on them...we went around the table at breakfast saying what we were thankful for. (Rafe: family, Gabe: friends, Amelia: a warm home, Olivia: everything we have, Me: my wonderful hubby and kids, and Tony: his beautiful :) wife and children, and the fact that WE'RE GOING TO DISNEYLAND NEXT WEEK!) Fun way to do it. I think they're still in a bit of shock, and definitely excited!
Anyhow, we then settled in with the paper and all of the ads. I literally get sick when I see all of the consumerism that abounds in our society. The thought of so many (most of who cannot afford it) STANDING IN LINES to be the first in for a deal is ridiculous to me...yes, i suppose there are those who must be the first in line to get one of the 10 $99.00 flat screen TV's...or the $3.00 t-shirts because otherwise they couldn't afford something like that...but what about the other several hundred people in line behind them? It's a sad story that a holiday, and a season, that is to be about the birth of Jesus, and the peace, love and brotherhood he stood for...has become trumped by the almighty dollar.
Should we really be so surprised that we can so easily go to war, and so easily brush off the idea of Universal Healthcare? Is it really a big shocker that, while our country is in trillions of dollars in debt and we complain, we continue on as a culture/society feeding and supporting the "bigger and better" ideals? The "Gotta have it...NOW" ideals?
It made me think about my upbringing as a Traditional Latin Catholic (which I don't practice anymore, but do sometimes miss a few of the traditions). One of those traditions was going to a true midnight mass, to be the first to welcome in the Feast of Christmas. (Now churches make due with a 9:00 Christmas Eve Mass and say that's good enough. And it is, but I still think it's sad that the tradition was done away with). Anyhow, it was a very special time, not to be missed. After weeks of advent, somber music and a church absent of flowers or anything special, this service was truly reflective of a "re-birth." Joyful carols, lit trees, poinsettias everywhere.
As a sullen teen, I sometimes thought it a bit crazy, shall I say, that we would stay up until Midnight to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Now...I cannot help but think it's a bit crazy that people across the country head to multiple stores at Midnight on Thanksgiving to celebrate consumerism.
YUCK!!!
Poor Thanksgiving can't even get 24 freaking hours to herself? Isn't it awful enough that the Christmas decorations were out in September? But I digress...
When I was little I LOVED the Laura Ingalls Wilder books..."Little House in The Big Woods," was the best. I loved how simple they're lives were; how simple the expectations. Making Maple Syrup candy in the snow. (Still, years later, want to try that!) Christmas was about giving...yes...but not about buying the best, biggest, or spendiest present for someone. (Or worse, buying a bunch of crap you couldn't afford just because you thought you had to). It wasn't about being at Mrs. Olson's general store at 5 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving to get the newest bolt of cloth! It was about giving of yourself. Making something from the heart. Giving your time and your talent to make someone else smile. And then Pa would pull out his fiddle.
So...as we head into this beautiful season we all love so much...I want to challenge you to focus MORE on the giving of yourself...your time and talents...
Instead of spending big money this year, sit down and make coupons giving of your time. Maybe it's a "date" with your child to the movies or bowling. Maybe it's a "date" with your elderly mom to bring down a coffee cake, make some tea and look through photo albums while taping her voice telling stories of old. Maybe it's a coupon for a homemade dinner for your best friend and her family...delivered in March on a snowy, cold day. The options are endless.
What's important is the follow-thru on these gifts...MAKE SURE you do them...put them on your calender now...get it done. MAKE SURE that person knows how valuable they are to you by remembering. THIS is the true gift.
And gifts like these contribute more to PEACE, LOVE AND BROTHERHOOD, those ideals Jesus preached...then anything bought at a big-box store ever could.
Very awesome Colette...You brought tears to my eyes....I was one of those crazy people at Wal-Mart at 5AM for the $3.00 jammies :) As a society we have lost sight of what is important and what is not. We forget that homemade comes from the heart, that it is better to give than to receive, and that we need to be Thankful for what we have and not to be looking so hard for what we do not. I am blessed that my kiddos are very good at going thru their things...toys and clothes...and always willing to donate to those who need it more then they do. After watching the news last night, I am ready to forgo the big dinner next year and volunteer at Meals on Wheels or the Rescue Mission. So as I sit here I am more Thankful for our little trailer...after all home is what you make it! I pray that the kids will understand that the jammies and a few little things are OK for Christmas as the important thing is that we are together as a family. I hope that you make some wonderful memories in Disneyland, and may you have a Blessed Christmas Season as you are truly a blessing to those lives that you touch.......
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