On Neff Road: Savoring the holidays

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Just a couple of days to Halloween, and Nolan leans over to me whispering, “Christmas is coming.” What?!? Time to get a few things straight!

Already stores are packed with slippers. Slippers, you know, sell out early as they are a sought-after Christmas present. You couldn’t find a last minute Halloween decoration, because those were tucked away making room for a Christmas takeover. Yes, indeed, Nolan, every sign points to Yule on the horizon.

I hate the way that commercialism demands we focus on Christmas. The other holidays seem to get the boot, because the mighty dollar needs to be spent. We go into Thanksgiving hoping to get it done, so we can get the Black Friday deals. We are manipulated by public relations and marketing ploys to draw us in and our money out.

Well, I am protesting. I am standing up against this power push by Hallmark and other card companies. I stand against Christmas movies beginning in November. I protest tinsel and garland before I have had a bite of my turkey. Who will stand with me!!! Ah, hello….. are you listening? Who will stand wi…okay. I am a lone voice bucking the system. Nothing new there.

I can close my eyes and find myself sitting in the kitchen with mom while she makes her pumpkin pies. Oh, wow, smell that aroma? Pumpkin and spices calling out to me after all these years. Anyone who ever ate her pie knows what I am saying. This is what I mean about savoring the holidays. The preparation, the planning. The family coming home. Long talks at the kitchen table and kids draped over the chairs and sofa getting to know one another all over again. Yummy leftovers to be eaten for couple of days after. And, no Black Friday. We savored the food, the family and all the memories that came to visit. My money can draw interest a little longer.

There are blessings that come when we don’t live life so quickly. We set into motion traditions that stay with us always. We learn to appreciate the moment as well as the bite of pumpkin pie. Bah Humbug to those who are pushing the holidays. I prefer to lick my lips and say, “Can I have another piece?” For now, I will just bide my time and wait for Thanksgiving to arrive. And for those who are not looking forward to Thanksgiving, I say, “Run, Turkey, Run!!!!”

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By Pamela Loxley Drake

On Neff Road

Pamela Loxley Drake is a former resident of Darke County and is the author of Neff Road and A Grandparent Voice blog. She can be reached at [email protected]. Viewpoints expressed in the article are the work of the author. The Daily Advocate does not endorse these viewpoints or the independent activities of the author.

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