Today's meaning of Christmas (Part 1)

Lisa wakes to the alarm clock ringing in her ear. Almost unconsciously, without thinking in the least, she reaches out and presses the snooze button. Exactly 9 minutes later, the alarm clock once again screams at her. She once again reaches for the snooze, this time thinking to herself how early it must be. She quickly drifts back into her slumber, until once again, 9 lightning fast minutes later, her alarm clock goes off again. She leans over and turns the clock off, finally opening her eyes to see the time. 3:19 AM. She thinks to herself “what am I doing?” Then, suddenly she quickly recalls the reason for her early waking. She thinks to herself “oh my gosh, I almost forgot. It’s Black Friday!” In almost one full motion, she quickly jumps out to bed and heads to the bathroom to start her day.

After her quick shower, she calls her friends to make sure they are also awake and ready for the big day. Black Friday has become a tradition for Lisa and her friends. Every year they set off as early as possible to get the best deals on Christmas presents for everyone they know. They spend almost the entire year planning the event. With lists, maps, schedules and plans in hand, they plan to set off in search of the best deals found all year.

Lisa goes back into the bathroom to finish getting ready. As the hairdryer runs at full speed, thoughts of shopping and fun are in her head. As her husband and kids still sleep peacefully, she hurries to finish brushing her teeth. She then heads back into the bedroom to find finish getting dressed. Her husband’s alarm clock starts to ring as she is putting her shoes on. “Have a good day, honey” she says to her husband, who is barely awake and somewhat confused as to why his wife is up and dressed before him. “It’s the annual fun day”, she reminds him. As he sits up, looking at his wife who is all but done with her shoes, he says to her “I forgot it was Friday. Rather you than me babe. You wouldn’t catch me going out today for anything else then work.” Fully understanding her husbands loathing for Black Friday, she simply says to him “have a good day a work..” She then reminds him of the details needed to get the kids off to school.

Within minutes she is in her car driving to the designated meeting place. By 4:30 AM, they all are assembled and ready for their trek into shopping hell. First stop is Wal-Mart, they open at 5:00 AM. Upon pulling into the parking lot, Lisa and her friends are greeted by hideous site. It’s only 4:45 AM and the line at the front door stretches well past a football field long. A line filled with greedy shoppers, planning the same event as Lisa and her friends, all wanting to take advantage of this once a year episode, are standing in the way of Lisa and the front gates to haven on earth. As they finally park the car in a no parking zone, as the lot is full, Lisa and her friends walk the length of the lot toward the mass of people who are already waiting. She is somewhat disappointed with the crowd, but presses on. Once she arrives to the end of the line, she notices that the people around her, including her friends are agitated at best.


(to be continued….)