Black Friday

image from FallingFifth.com

Before I begin this rant, let me just state:  I did go shopping today. I went to consignment shops, independent music- and bookstores, and independent toy stores. I didn’t go within two miles of the mall (nor will I, if it can be avoided, until January!) or any big-box department stores. I shopped small and local, and I had a leisurely afternoon of it with my mother. It was about bonding and together time (and taking an opportunity for a child-free afternoon out together) – not about camping out to make sure I Got There First.

I’m not judging anyone who did do the Black Friday thing; to each his/her own. I just don’t understand the appeal. In fact, I typically go out of my way to avoid crowds and standing in line, so the whole thing is definitely not for me.

What bothers me, though, is that Black Friday is now starting on Thursday. As if Thanksgiving weren’t already overshadowed by the ever-encroaching onset of holiday music, now it is being ignored altogether by people waiting in line at their favorite store as early as Wednesday.

I love Thanksgiving and the chance to sit down to a lavish meal with my extended family and talk about all the blessings in our lives. After two years away, I absolutely can’t fathom wanting to miss any part of it this season full of magic, or skip over anything to get to the “main event” faster.

And it is sad to me to see not one, but two holidays be lost in the name of consumerism.

Remembering Why I’m Here

A nearby waterfall, after the late-summer 2011 flooding from Hurricane Irene's aftermath.

Last Sunday, we had an unseasonably warm afternoon. When we left church, my family and I decided to have an impromptu picnic lunch by a nearby waterfall (not actually the one pictured here). As we ate, a 6-year-old boy came and sat with us, conversing with all three of us. He was eventually joined by his parents, before they all went on their merry way.

From this encounter, I came away with two things:

1. Children are the ultimate cure for shyness. I am not one to talk to strangers when I’m out and about in the world, but my son very much is. Even when he was a baby, I would be approached by strangers telling me how adorable he was and striking up conversations with me. Sure, some of them were spouting unsolicited advice, but most of them were just making conversation – something I would never have stepped out of my shell to do. Now my little man vacillates between talking to random people, and pretending to be shy by making grumpy faces or hiding his face when people talk to him. Either way, though, his very presence invites conversations. And likewise, I find myself more likely to speak to people when they have children with them, as well.

2. I was struck with a profound sense of belonging. That family reminded me of the strong sense of community within this town. We are city enough to enjoy diversity, but small-town enough to be close-knit. I never appreciated either when I was younger, and I think I had to move away and back to really understand. Similarly, spending the early-afternoon surrounded by the natural beauty this area holds was a visual reminder of why I love being here.

I don’t regret (anymore) the time I spent in Florida; I feel it was a path I needed to take in order to find my way to where I am now. However, I am very, very thankful to be home.  Not only is this where much of my family lives, but it’s also where my heart lives, as well.

Making A Comeback

The more time that pases, the harder it is to actually return to blogging. Nearly six months ago when I last posted here, I was still living in FL and was in the middle of a copious amount of stress involving job-hunting and the potential for relocation. It’s a period I don’t want to relive, so let’s just fast forward to today.

I am now employed with a UU church, as has been my goal for a couple of years now. I am living near family, and experiencing 4 seasons once again (sometimes all in one week!). My husband is recently employed as a web designer once again and couldn’t be happier! Next month, if not sooner, the Bug will also be enrolled in a preschool, and he may even be able to begin kindergarten as soon as next year!

The result of all of this is that we are all thriving once again, but my writing has suffered. Perhaps as our new routines stabilize, I will again be able to make room in my week for blogging, among the myriad other pieces.