Take a Moment, Please

Having grown up in and around parochial schools I am fairly certain Advent, and or the "Christmas Season," is for Sundays. Clearly Black Friday has become a tradition for most families over the past 20-30 years.  Seven a.m. trips to the mall are as much a part of our identity as video games and fast food. 

But midnight Friday morning for Target and other stores? Bad enough Target has flooded television with that annoying woman "preparing" for their two-day event...  but now we are entertaining dragging our food-intoxicated (among other things) selves out on the roads to shop for plasma TVs?

Are we not entitled to one, quality evening at home with mom and pop? Does every event/holiday we share with family have to end up with binge shopping?

Merchants making money and our overall confidence in the economy are vital for sure. Hit the malls, and online services, and especially those small businesses that make this country what it is.

But on Thansgiving night, after all the wine and public questioning if your college- age son or daughter plans on living with you forever, take a moment to give thanks.

Look at all the good we have in our lives.  And yes, in our town. It may seem like I am harsh or critical of fair Madison. Truth is I love it. And when you love something you expect only the best.

Go to bed after the last dish has been cleaned and for heaven's sake put the bottle down. There is nothing left in it!

During the next month you can find the time to hit Toys R Us (UGH) and its brethren. Maybe if we stay back this Thanksgiving retailers won't impose these early starts on is anymore.  It was 4am a few years back.  Now midnight.  Soon, 10pm Thanksgiving night.

Then the greatest American holiday will be a mere footnote. 

That would be a tragedy. We do enough racing and efforting 364 days of the year.  Can we sloth a bit for one day?

Here is hoping you can. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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