The War on Thanksgiving

Today I’ll be eating, watching football, dog shows, parades and then eating some more. I’ll be sharing time with my sister and her family. I’ll watch my kids eat waaaay too much. I’ll enjoy my wife’s amazing cooking.

But I won’t be shopping.

When I found out some stores are open on Thanksgiving, I cringed. It was a visceral reaction — one that even surprised me.  Was it because I think that people in retail deserve a day off? Yes. But that wasn’t quite it. Was it because I don’t want rampant commercialism sticking it’s nose under Thanksgiving’s sacred tent?  Kind of — although as a small businessman, I understand the value of making a buck.  I sat here wondering why it bothered me so badly. It burned in my belly like a third helping of oyster dressing.

Until it came to me in a flash.

We aren’t allowed to stop anymore. As a society, we’re 24/7 365 days a year.  We’re glued to our phones, checking the latest Tweets or  a reading instant Facebook posts.  We get texts at all hours and are constantly checking our e-mail accounts.  We never unplug.  And that takes a toll on us.

Now, we are at risk of losing the one day when we can unplug and say thank you for the blessings we have.

I don’t want a door buster to be Christmas busting through Thanksgiving’s barricaded door.

So I won’t be shopping today. I’ll be holding on tightly to the one day when I can unwind.  I’ll be grateful for all the blessings in my life. I’ll take a moment to slow down and say thanks. And for that, I’m thankful.