Tis the.....umm not yet!!!

For many people the Christmas season is a time of joy and love shared with family, friends, and loved ones.  Don't get me wrong its the same for me but in December, not November, not before Thanksgiving.  The stores are already playing Christmas music (I'm sure Price Chopper is) and there are already decorations going up around town.  As I drove down my Michigan Ave the other day on my way to a home visit I saw Christmas Candles and Candycanes hanging from the street light. "You have GOT to be kidding me!!" I said as I stared in confusion.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm no Scrooge but honestly Christmas in November and before Thanksgiving?! Not ok in my books.  I feel like these premature Christmas and holiday decorations are taking away from the great feast day that is Thanksgiving.  I would understand if they were doing Christmas early in Europe, Africa, and any other place besides the U.S. because they don't celebrate Thanksgiving but for us to overlook Thanksgiving, I think its rather rude!  Maybe I'm being way to overdramatic but I don't like to do anything Christmas or holiday related until December 1st.  

Thanksgiving, in  my opinion, is just as important of a holiday as Christmas is because you get to spend time with family and friends in addition to eating delicious food.  I really enjoy Thanksgiving and am sad that I'm not going to be able to be home with my family this year but I am thankful for J Bird and his family for inviting us to their dinner.  Thanksgiving is really a time to give thanks and be grateful for what you have in addition to helping others in need.  My roommates and I have talked about doing a soup kitchen or dinner of some sort around or on Thanksgiving day to serve people in need and enjoy the company of other people in addition to the ones we will be eating with.  Also Catholic Charities is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday at our office that me, Molly, and MC are going to go to.  I don't think many of my clients are going to be there but there will be many other pregnant women, babies and other people there to share in a great dinner together.  I am excited to be able to show my roommates more about my work site and to get to know more people that I work with in addition to the clients we are serving.

Christmas is a special time of year as well where everyone gets to spend time with family and friends in addition to eating meals and giving and receiving of presents.  Since I can remember I have always enjoyed the giving of presents more than the receiving.  Giving involves thinking about that person and finding something special for them that is both meaningful and significant to both you and the person you are giving the gift to.  As most of my family and friends know, I love to give gifts no matter how big or small.  Christmas is a time of giving and I think many people forget that sometimes because of all the hussle and bussel of having guests and making sure everyone gets what they want.  As time comes closer for me to go for Christmas I have been thinking about what I want my Christmas to be like and if there is anything I want.  Honestly the word want is one that is both significant and challenging in many instances.  Want can mean a dream or something that you desire whereas need is something that is closer to a human need or necessity like food, water, shelter, etc.  So the only thing I want or would like for Christmas are some TOM shoes other than that I honestly don't need anything else.  I really just want to spend time with family and friends and talk with them about my AV year and the service I have been doing.  

A challenge: Take time this holiday season both Thanksgiving, Christmas, and whatever other holiday you celebrate to volunteer and give back to some part of that community.  Whether that is donating to a toy drive, donating can food, helping out at a community dinner, singing Christmas carols, or just spending time with family and friends who you haven't seen in a while.  Take time to reflect on your life and the things and people that matter the most.  I can almost guarentee that it will make your holiday season that much more special when its all over. 

Chicago Fact: Chicago also has a tree like in NYC that they will be lighting November 24th.  At least they wait until the end of November to do the major decorating!