In the past few years, it seems as though Thanksgiving is becoming the forgotten holiday. It’s not forgotten, but it seems to be remembered for the wrong reasons. In the past, we have looked forward to getting together with our family for some good homemade food, stories and laughs. Now, people are glued to their cell phones checking out the ads for all of the Black Friday Sales.
It seems ridiculous that people will camp out for hours just for a television instead of being at home eating and enjoying their time with their family. I don’t think I really even see decorations for Thanksgiving. I just see advertisements for everything that is going to be on sale that evening.
It’s not just about Black Friday though. I saw Christmas decorations at Hobby Lobby and Hallmark in July!!! Can we please just take a break? I would like to enjoy seeing some red, white and blue in July instead of red and green.
Our society just seems to put more value on material objects than on their family. Just a little secret —those TVs that seem like they’re a great deal at Best Buy (that are a brand you’ve never heard of) are not a great deal at all (coming from an inside source).
Are we really being thankful that we have a roof over our heads, clothes on our back and a meal on the table? Why do we have to put so much emphasis on ‘sale’ items? People have literally been killed on Black Friday. Think about that really hard! We live in a country where people will trample others and shoot people over Barbies, TVs, cameras and video games. I had a $5 pillow yanked out of my hand on a Black Friday at Wal-Mart several years ago, because I had picked up the last one out of the bin.
There are veterans in our country who are homeless and don’t have food, a roof over their heads or clothes. There are people starving in other countries. Paris has declared a state of emergency and fears for their safety. Women and men are escaping abuse in their homes and having to start a new life. What are we worried about? Barbies? TVs? "Star Wars" items?
If I could just leave you with some advice: take Thanksgiving and be thankful for your family, your food and your home. Unglue yourself from your cellphone and be thankful for those you have and those who are no longer with you. Hug each family member or friend you come in contact with, because life is unpredictable and you never know when they could be gone. Stay away from Wal-Mart and Target, and enjoy quality entertainment with your family. If you do insist on going Black Friday shopping, go as a family and make it fun, rather than a competition.
If you don’t have anyone to go home to or you’re choosing to stay on campus/in your apartment, go find a homeless shelter or food bank and volunteer your time to help someone else be thankful. Trust me, those less fortunate than you will be thankful for so much less than what we usually receive. Spread the love, kindness and thankfulness. Be thankful for those soldiers who sacrificed their lives in every war. Some of those men and women are thankful to be alive and are missing limbs. Be thankful for living in a country where you are free to speak, practice your religion and be yourself. Be thankful that you are getting an education and that you will one day make money because of it; some are not that lucky.
Be thankful that you have time to be thankful with your family, who is thankful that you are there to see them.
