Copyright 2007 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
Things have certainly changed. No sooner is Halloween over than the Yule sales displays hit the stores. Thanksgiving hardly gets a nod. For Americans, Thanksgiving is the family holiday when everyone gathers together. One might say that it is the last harvest at our latitude, which is lower than Europe. It used to be that Thanksgiving was touted, with plenty of decorations and other preparations. Our mercantile society has changed that, burying it between the two biggest money-making holidays of the year.
Thanksgiving’s lesser place is not due to the people, but to the marketeers and merchants. It is the urge to sell and the bombardment of advertisement that did the trick. The Christian holiday of Christmas is what they are selling. Our nation’s economy has become dependent on Christmas shopping. Thanksgiving turkeys do not fill the coffers. It takes decorations and toys and expensive gifts to make the cash registers ring. One good nativity set to go under the Christian’s tree costs more than the fixings for a lavish Thanksgiving dinner. The newest action figure costs more than the combined price of vegetables and gravy an appetizers. That perfume to give to Auntie costs enough to buy half a dozen turkeys.
For marketeers, family is only convenient if it helps sell product. What about us? Are we going to let a bunch of advertising geeks put a damper on great holiday? Maybe it’s time we get perspective. Instead of buying a bunch of useless baubles to fling at relatives for Yule, let’s ease up on the gift spending and increase the time we spend with loved ones.
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Most of those reading here will agree that Thanksgiving is wonderful and that they enjoy getting together with family. What about those who have no family, ro whose families are troubled or even toxic? Not every family is a good family. There are families that are wracked with the most hateful things. How often do we hear of abuse, neglect, abandonment and other familial woes? A policy of “Family is everything” works if the family works. For those that do not, something else is in order.
If you have no family, or your family is inimical, then it is time to make changes. No one has to go through life alone. Many times, the closest we get to family is our friends. Our real family includes the people who love us and are glad to spend time with us. For those without family, this is a season to focus on those whom you hold dearest. Cherish them, treasure them, for they came to you by choice rather than by accident of birth.
