Thanksgiving - What Has It Become?

We went through the routine last week. The wife decided who would bring what and got agreement from the kids. We welcomed the out-of-town contingent (our former daughter in law, her husband, THEIR daughter and OUR grandkids). Some of our guests (mainly our kids and their families) came early. Others got here barely in time to eat.

Some ate and then helped clean up. Others ate and then dropped into comfortable seating in the family room to watch football. Others ate and left!

But it was still fun -- and one of those rare occasions when the entire family sits at table for a meal and when the entire family eats a meal over a single grace being prayed.

The kitchen table was cleared after the meal and all the girls gathered round -- advertisements in one hand and lists in the other. It was now time to decide about "Black Friday".

But things changed this year -- it was no longer "Black Friday" but "Black Thanksgiving". Store doors did not open at 5AM as in past years. Some store doors were open even as they pined about who was going to buy what.

The mass of female flesh piled into the van at 10:45 Thanksgiving evening just to wait in line at their first target -- yes, Target was their first stop. And they were gung ho until they approached collapse for lack of sleep at a little before noon on Friday.

I went to bed shortly after they left, adding a few sentences to my nightly prayer -- praying that the insane would regain a little sense and that they would have fun during their foolish frivolity.

Those of us -- especially Bobby, Ben and me -- who stayed at home arose the next more to the wafting aroma of fresh brewed coffee. After a couple of cups each, we dressed and went to a local eatery for Western Omelettes, hash browns (with onions), sliced tomatos, biscuits and buttered toast. Then we went home and awaited the return of the girls -- sore feet, tired eyes, frayed tempers et al.

They will never admit the reality of the situation. During all this, I kept thinking that Thanksgiving has lost its real meaning. It has morphed into Black Friday Eve. What a shame!