Isn't it ironic....

Tomorrow many of us will sit down around a table piled high with more food than we need surrounded by kith and kin. Sometime during the day, hopefully, we will think about the things in our life for which we are thankful. When most people are asked to respond to the question, "What are you most thankful for," very few say their car, big screen tv or all the stuff in their home. The list usually is comprised of friends, family, food on the table, a roof over their heads and their health. So why is it that this holiday of giving thanks is quickly becoming eclipsed by the commercialism of the rest of the holidays?

I was once speaking to a boss the day before Thanksgiving. He had encouraged the office to close down a little early and invited us to the restaurant next door. He bought us all a drink and toasted the holiday with us. I asked him what his favorite holiday was and he quickly replied "Thanksgiving." He went on to say that all the other holidays were taken over by the stores, but Thanksgiving was the one, unadulterated holiday left. There were no expectations to ruin the day, there was plenty of good food and, except for the cook, no one was stressed out from all the planning. I agreed with him then and still do. I would also add that it is one of the few holidays that everyone in America can share, no matter their background or religion.

But we have forgotten some of this in the bustle of our everyday. Christmas comes right after Halloween in the stores and is starting to in the American psyche. Thanksgiving now marks the beginning of the holiday season instead of being a day unto itself. It seems that because Hallmark hasn't gotten its hands on Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving is becoming a footnote in our culture.

Even more disturbing was a news piece I heard on NPR the other morning. A woman has been camping out in front of her local Best Buy store to be the first one in on Friday morning. She has no plans to celebrate Thanksgiving. She is waiting for Friday. I've heard of others who leave their family early to get to bed early so they can be up by 3am to start their shopping. I have seen ads for Black Friday savings starting last weekend and ads for stores that plan on being open a few hours on Thanksgiving with special incentives to come in and buy.

But what does all of this have to do with spending time with family and friends? What can people buy in the stores that will make others truly thankful? Is edging your way through a stampede of people to save a few dollars on gifts really what you want to be remembered for when you are gone? Are your family and friends really going to remember what you purchased for them in a few years? Won't they remember the time you spent with them longer?

I will not be in the hordes of people on Black Friday. I've made most of my gifts already and, although I have a few left to purchase, I can easily get that done after I have given thanks. I will be at home, enjoying the leftovers.