It seems to start earlier every year. This year, the Halloween decorations were competing with space next to the Christmas decorations in most stores. What's next? Live "fresh cut" Christmas Trees in September? As I write this, WYFF is reporting that a bunch of large retailers are staying open on Thanksgiving Day. Sacriledge. While Thanksgiving is not a "religious" holiday, isn't it typically a time to get together with friends and family to give thanks for the blessings you have received over the past year? Isn't it time for everyone to get stuffed, hit the den or living room for football, or just sit around and do some catching up? Oh well. "Thanks Grandma! I loved the turkey but I have to be at work in about 15 minutes. Oh I know I just got here, Grandma! I know. I know But I got to make a living somehow and I'll get blackballed if I don't show up today!" Orrrrrr "Oh my God. Wally World has got these coffee makers on sale today for $5. There won't be any left by the time we get there on Friday at 4:30am! Good to see ya'll but we have got to get moving. Mama, just keep that caserole dish and I'll pick it up when we come back for Christmas!"
Remember when people looked at you funny if you had your tree and house decorated before Thanksgiving? Remember when they didn't even turn the Christmas lights on in town until the MONDAY NIGHT (another change I'm not fond of) of the Christmas Parade? Now I am not becoming an Old Scrooge, Bah humbugging everything. But how about some "Remember whens" for this year.
Remember when:
You couldn't wait for the Sears, JC Penny, and Brendles Christmas Catalogs to arrive?
You took said catalogs and camped out in front of the fireplace or, in my case, that big ol' Seigler Oil heater to start dreaming about what Santa would bring you?
You actually got to take a trip to said stores along with TG&Y and Roses to gaze upon the acres of bicycles, dolls, games, trains, and slot car tracks?
You weren't worth a damn in school for the couple of weeks after Thanksgiving knowing that Christmas Vacation was coming?
Watching Rudolf, Charlie Brown, and all the other Specials were required veiwing for not just you, but the whole family?
Going to church and being in the Christmas Play the Sunday before Christmas and then going down to the basement or annex of the church to sing some hymns before picking up your bag of fruit and candy?
You rode around with the family and looked the Christmas decorations around town?
You made sure that the parents left the back door unlocked because you didn't have a chimney?
You walked in the living room to see that Huffy BMX bike in gleaming black sitting by the tree?
(I remember this one because my mom, my aunt donna, and I were all sick as a dog with the flu! the horror!)
You might have been a little disappointed you didn't get something you really wanted but you were really thankful for what you got?
You went to the big family gathering at your uncle's house on Christmas Eve then came home and opened some presents before going to bed?
You sometimes just laid down under the tree looking up through all the branches and lights listening to Burl Ives, Dean Martin, and the rest of the old greats sing REAL Christmas songs and read the REAL story of Christmas.
Sure, some of these time honored traditions have faded away as the world seemingly turns faster and faster. Perhaps we should all try and share some of these traditions with the youngsters this year. As all the Xboxes, Ipods, new cell phones, and laptops make all their noise on Christmas morning in some of your houses, take some time later on and lay down under that tree. Look up through those branches and lights and see if you can look back in time to a more simple age. Look up through all those branches and lights to the top of that tree, to the star, and thank God for sending us all that most precious gift of all.
T. Scott Sanders
11/15/2010
