One 'HoliDAY' At A Time...

   I have, very, fond, memories, of 'Holidays- Past', from my childhood. Naturally, I love the holidays, spent with family and friends, that I celebrate now; yet, there, does, exist, a slight, difference, 'in the air', a nuance, which, if not for my age and long-ago, experiences, I might not take note of. For those of us, a tad, older, we 'remember when'; when one could, actually, go 'trick-or-treating', and, not, need, think about an impending Christmas, two, months, hence. Neither, was, Thanksgiving Day, overshadowed by the CONSTANT, reminder, that we MUST 'get to shopping' to beat the 'Christmas Rush'! Not only this, but, in order to 'accommodate' the 'Black-Friday' shoppers, folks must be denied their opportunity to spend Thanksgiving Day, with family and friends, because they have to work at Wal-Mart, as stores are opening on This Holiday's night, to offer folks a 'jump-start', to their shopping-effort. Certainly, I understand the need for essential-employees, having to work, e.g., hospital-staff, fire-fighters, and, police, alike, as, unfortunately, sickness and tragedy, know no Holiday-restriction. Yet, the need for retailers to offer up store hours on a Holiday, is beyond me; and, quite, frankly, it makes me sorta sick at heart, as it feels like 'sacrilege' to me. Far be it from me to deny the multitude of manufacturers their anticipated, annual, sales, associated to the gift-buying, which, in and of itself, has gotten 'way out of hand'( but, that's ANOTHER story!) but, honestly, how does ONE day make that much of a difference? So, as we are 'staring in the face' of, yet, another, 'Christmas-shopping Event', I will, as ALWAYS, wonder, what is so darned, important, as to run out to shop on the night of Thanksgiving? Heck, while those, foolish enough, to find fulfillment in such an activity, are standing on queue, waiting for the doors to open, of whichever, store, they'll shop, I'll be sitting, with my feet up, digesting a wonderful meal, surrounded by folks I love. Now, THERE'S something to be THANKFUL for! Just Sayin'...