It all began in the fall of 1621 when 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans got together to celebrate the first successful harvest in America for the Pilgrims. It was in 1863 that President Lincoln officially made Thanksgiving a federal holiday and it was in 1934 that the Detroit Lions decided to add to our indigestion by playing football on the afternoon. It was in 1955 that the first green bean casserole was introduced and much to my chagrin, "green beans with a crust" has become a permanent fixture on this day.
This year begins a new tradition - retailers will be open on Thanksgiving Day. I've seen a lot of uproar on television news shows and on social media. Apparently, the fact that working in retail already sucked was oblivious to most. So a tremendous amount of sympathy has gone to these same workers that usually work every weekend and evening while others are spending time with their families. "But this is different!" - the dissenters shout. We've had no sympathy for the convenience store workers, gas station attendants, police, firefighters, hospital workers, air traffic controllers, and the people stuck working the Lions game. They've all been working on Thanksgiving for years.
The decision for retail to open on Thanksgiving is a reflection of our own desires. Should we really be mad at the retailers or should we be mad at our own cravings for materialistic items at a greatly discounted price? My solution - If you don't like it….don't go. Pretty simple.
Here's a thought: Let's not be slaves to certain dates on the calendar as representing the only times we make an effort to be with our families and friends. The reality is - we can get together ANY time if we make the effort. There are 364 other days throughout the year that you can make plans to be together….and it doesn't have to be just one day. There's no law here. It can be many days throughout the year. Plan ahead and get together. The more functions there are, the more opportunity that everyone can make at least one. It's all about effort and it starts with you.
1 comment:
Times have changed, in a sense. You would probably agree that growing up, nothing was open on Thanksgiving (other than some restaurants), Christmas and New Year's Day. Am amazed now at how many places are open now on New Year's Day. Also, never heard of the term "Black Friday" until recent years. Maybe in the Midwest it wasn't used much. That day was always merely referred to as "the busiest shopping day of the year."
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