Sometimes, while asking someone how their holidays have went, they answer, "survived another year." With Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas so close together I can see how some may take a survival strategy for those last 3 months of the year.
I ask, when did the holidays have to become a state of survival? What happened to the simplicity of it all? It should be about sharing this time with our loved ones. Instead it has turned into a commercial war. Before Halloween even hits the stores are filled with the newest, greatest toys. Sales are flaunted promising the consumer the best deals and prices, "buy one get one half off."
And we, somewhere along the lines have gotten caught up in it all. Do children even know why we celebrate these glorious days? Parents run around in a frantic trying to purchase that last PSP or video game that little Johnny will die without. Instead of looking forward to having family over, they find it more as a burden-the extra cleaning, cooking, and decorating to prove that yes, your house is better than everyone's on the block for holiday splendor.
I've often said how simple of a life I live out here with my family. A tree cut down from the mountains, a few decorations, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" being read and a CD playing those classic Christmas carols.
We should all take a step back and re-evaluate this time of year. Was the bustle and that PSP worth all the debt and stress?
And so I leave with you today to think about the following excerpt from "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss.
And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling: "How could it be so?
"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"
And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"
1 comment:
Because of inclement weather and because of financial woes, Christmas was not what it was in the past.
I try hard not to buy into the commercialism. I try hard to keep in mind what the holidays are all about. I try hard to keep family traditions in place during the holidays. But alas, I am only human with a constant barrage of what is acceptable and what isn’t, I find myself buying into all of the commercialism. I am afraid I have a bit of the Grinch in me. I want more but understand that life is about those simple, uncomplicated tasks that bring the family closer. Things that we have done for years, I continue to do building on some of the wonderful memories in my mind and heart.
Some part of me wants it to be spectacular and commercialized when I know that isn’t what it is all about. So in this trying time when I am being “tested”, I appreciate someone as wonderful as Shelly to keep life in perspective. Thank you and I Love You.
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