By reflecting on the incidents that have destroyed homes and normal ways of life due to natural disasters, I have been reminded of the mindset that existed in my childhood within myself, specifically about this so-called exchange of gifts. It seemed very insincere. Very forced. This trend has no halt. People sucked into this fashion trend do not see the daily disasters as a means to reevaluate values. This act of consuming only seems to strengthen and follow its bombardment toward the people that populate this nation.

Gifts are forming a meaning to people, creating a materialistic world. Yet, these held items do not receive the care they could receive. They are taken for granted. This, however, does not eliminate the fact that material goods hold a higher position of appreciation than human connection.

So, I ask — what happens when a hurricane wipes off all those materials? What do we do now? What happens if a person is taken from our life in that incident? I ask this to determine which piece you paid more attention to: The inanimate object or the animate being, even status in this hierarchical workforce or world. Now, where is the 5 million-dollar home? Or the car? And what about the person you could have built a memory with? A memory that does not erase. One that could have been yours, eternally.

It was said that "The Grinch Stole Christmas," but I firmly believe that he saved it. People have simply denied that fact. The idea of a story could create an impact but was defeated by this consumerism; it is invalid for its background — fiction. So, why isn’t a natural disaster seen as a way to reverse our way of life and a chance to finally demonstrate the value we hold for others in our lives? Why can’t we decrease or rid ourselves of consumerism? How many natural disasters have to attack life in order to wake up from our corrupt place of being? Or, is this simply our way of avoiding reality? Is our desire to possess something in our palms stronger due to the idea of it disintegrating into the airs of extinction?

Our acts are becoming selfish. What children truly deserve is the daily consumption of life. The inhalation of oxygen. A chance to play while they are physically able to and have the resources to do so. I think that would expand on the message of "The Grinch Saved Christmas."