First, I will say that I find it ironic that Black Friday comes just after Thanksgiving. The day we give thanks for what we have in our lives followed by a day that is all to often highlighted by greed and materialism. Capitalism at it's best (?) bringing out humanity at its worst? Seems a bit like it. Kind of like how Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are together. Just in reverse order. It is kind of ironic. I will admit I was out and about. I love a good deal and could get a few items marked off my list for Christmas. I am on a budget and want to stretch my money if possible. But....I will not fight over a vacuum, or a toaster oven, or even a big screen television. Believe it or not, I went to Walmart last night at 8p.m. for boys pajamas and slippers. Yes. That is all. Luke saw some he liked in the sale paper with Spiderman on them. And he loved the slippers that matched. At 7:30 that evening, I was sitting on the sofa telling Roger I really didn't want to go to Walmart. Then I kept thinking of his sweet face when he opened those cool pj's and slippers on Christmas. Ugh! Then I decided to go. Roger kindly encouraged me and said "That is a mother's love for her children" as he dozed off on the couch. Double ugh! So I went out. Already tired and terribly naive. I would just go and pick them up and be back home in no time. I was quickly reminded of why I don't shop Walmart's Black Friday deals. Really....Just go get pj's and slippers and get home. I knew people hovered over the electronics and even over the small appliances, but Spiderman pj's? When the clock hit 8:00, it was every man for himself ( or woman or insane individual). I felt a little like an observer looking in on a mob scene. The paper covering the pallet of pajamas was ripped, arms began to fly (and grab and throw), then pj's were everywhere. It was madness. Almost like watching something in slow motion. Somewhere, I am sure I heard "It's the most wonderful time of the year" playing. Surprisingly, as I came out of my delusional state, I found the Super Mario and Spiderman pj's I needed. But where were the $3 slippers that matched? I figured I might as well try to find them. I asked every worker in a yellow vest that I saw. No one knew where they were. Finally, I saw some slippers in a ladies cart and I asked her. She pointed me in the general direction, somewhere close to the frozen food section. Seriously? By the time I got through the crowd, no slippers were to be found. Makes sense, right? Next time I will know, slippers = frozen food section. Of course. Why would they even be near the matching pajamas? Oh well. I tried. I was ready to go home. While standing in line, I overheard someone talking about the fist fight that broke out between two women over a set of sheets. Again, seriously? Weren't we all giving thanks a little earlier that same day and now it is a slug-fest over sheets?
I don't remember the whole Black Friday thing being like this when I was growing up. I don't remember stores being open for these kind of sales on Thanksgiving either. I loved going out with my family the day after thanksgiving. There was a store in Birmingham called Pizitz and they always had the best Christmas display. My parents would take my brother and I there to see the pretty Christmas decorations then we would go eat as a family. If we saw something on sale that we could use, we got it. We did not fight over it though. There were crowds and it was busy but it wasn't like it is now. We just enjoyed being together. I loved it. We made memories - good ones. Not ones like "remember the time mom took down that little old lady over a blender? What a deal!" Yes. I was in the crazy crowd, even again this morning (not at Walmart though!) and I did get a few things accomplished and saved some money. But I missed some things on my list too and that was ok. It is just stuff.
What I am thankful for in my life cannot be bought. Most of all, I am thankful for Christ who, despite my sinful heart, died on the cross for me, paid a debt I could never pay and whose blood covers my sin. He saved me. God blessed me with a family that I don't deserve. They love me like crazy and I love them to the moon and back. Roger has shown me love that overwhelms me and God has given us two beautiful boys that fill our lives with joy. God has taught us so much through our children. They are incredibly unique and they challenge us. I have said often that being a mom is the most rewarding and most difficult job I have ever had. With the very different challenges that we face with Nathan and Luke come the most amazing victories when they conquer even the smallest of obstacles. We rejoice in it all because God is using all of these circumstances to grow them into the young men He wants them to be. As I write this tonight, there are so many on my mind and in my heart that I am so grateful for - I cannot list them all. So I will just say that I am thankful this day for my life and so much more.
Tonight, I was talking to Nate at his bedside. "You know I love you a lot." Nate: "You mean, like the last number?" ( We have often wondered together what the biggest - last- number is.) Me: "Yea. Like a gazillion." Nate: "How about like a manillion ba-pa-dillion?" Me: "Yea. That too!" I love him a manillion ba-pa-dillion plus one.
