Black Friday - the day after one gives thanks to The Lord for what they have; ventures out in the mayhem to get what they do not have.

Now before I get hate mail, I'm here to tell you that have children - who are always wanting the toy which is the hot item of the year. And we, as parents try to oblige the children's wishes and venture out to get that toy. I get it. I really do. Been there, done that.

Having worked in retail, and especially in the toy retail business I remember people lined up long before the store opened hoping they will be the lucky recipient of the latest toy. But also knowing how many of said toy we had in stock would and could not satisfy all those people. I remember the looks of joy from parents who were the lucky few who got their toy in order to please their children. But I also remember the looks of people when I had to tell them we had no more. Looks of disappointment, physical tears, anger, jealousy of those who did get one and they did not. Luckily, I did not see any physical altercations like the news likes to glamorize with the Black Friday day.

Having worked in sales, trying to lure people into buying a product that they had absolutely no intention of getting or pursuing was a difficult time for me too, especially on Black Friday. It was one of those jobs which had the dreaded "draw against commission" hanging over our heads and thus turned us into sales sharks ready to encircle unsuspecting victims. I did it because I had to. Otherwise no income. No food on the table, no money for bills. It was not a job that I relished, or excelled in. 

Having worked in the fast food business, the pace was fast and furious. Shoppers needed some sort of nourishment and we there to offer them what they needed. Hamburgers flew off the grill, French fry grease splattered as the frozen fries came in contact with the very hot grease causing a micro explosion. Many times I came home from work with tiny 2nd degree burns where the hot oil came in contact with my flesh. Manning a station for the closing shift on Black Friday was a challenge. We all could not wait for the gate to be dropped indicating we were officially closed for the day. But we tried to beat the system by starting to clean just before closing time. And then the customer would come in and order something from my newly cleaned and spotless station. I was young, so I did not quite grasp the idea that customers ordering food - no matter if it's 2 minutes before we close is what generates income and my paycheck.

All of these experiences still linger in my head on Black Friday. And maybe that's why I won't go out on Black Friday. Part of me still lives vicariously in those fast food workers, those Mall center kiosk sales workers, and those who stock shelves to make sure product is out for customers. Part of me is there telling expectant customers that we are unfortunately sold out.

And all of these things upset me when I see each year, the day of Thanksgiving - the day that we gather as family and friends to enjoy each other - the day that we do gather together to thank our Heavenly Father for everything which He has given us; including the time spent with family and friends. It upsets me that this day is slowly being devoured by the retail and business sharks who are encircling us to get our almighty dollar - when we should be encircled together to worship and thank our almighty God.

So, we are going to start a tradition on Black Friday in order to accentuate the positive, if you will. We are going to make that day our official start to Christmas Day and decorate the hobbit hole. We have an artificial tree so there are no worries of a dead tree by the time Christmas Day rolls around. We will decorate the tree, hang the festive garland, dig out the Christmas movies we normally watch. We will start to listen to Christmas music (although for me, we have been practicing that music for over a month now). More importantly, we will make this an extension day of Thanksgiving and give thanks to our Heavenly Father for His Son, Jesus Christ. To thank Him for sending His only begotten Son to the earth as a small babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes. To celebrate, prepare our little hobbit hole, and remember Christmas for what it is intended - Christ's bith.