The beginning of the Holidays

Today is six days away from Thanksgiving.

TODAY IS THE START OF THE HOLIDAYS

Many retailers would have you believe that it started in October....don't fall for it.

The reality is.....Holidays are created by family gatherings....and some families will be welcoming home their kids for the first time since school started.

Many college students have already blown off the three days next week and are on their way home.

Many families are preparing for Thanksgiving by getting in the death lines at Wal-Mart.

The lines at Costco aren't any better but that memberships dealio creates a different customer base....less excited although still viscous.

The buzz is officially in the air today, even though most families will not be reunited until early next week.

But the holidays also reveal the other side of a very slippery coin.

Of course as I write this I think about the students who can't go home for the holidays or don't want to go home for the holidays.

I have noticed, as I am also sure you have, certain irregularities taking place in society over the last 50 years and it is fairly clear that some large dysfunctional situations are the result of poor parenting.

Irregularities can be self created or as the result of circumstances beyond one's control.

When those irregularities turn into dysfunctional situations the end result is not a warm and cozy Thanksgiving celebration with one's family.

I also think about the homeless that basically appear to have no families.....

I'm sure that most students who are getting ready to come home are not stopping to contemplate how truly lucky they are. They are tired from studying and partying and laughing and crying and being sick and being lonely and being bored and now it's time to come home and get into their own beds for about ten minutes before rushing out to hook up with their friends.

Some of these students have worked much harder than others but getting home is the only thing on their minds.

AND NOBODY EVER SAID IT BETTER THAN LITTLE JUDY GARLAND

"There's no place like home."

And as I recall I think she said it three times.

I think my stuffed animals will be released from the closet lair a few days earlier this year. I usually wait until after Thanksgiving.

The nation has had a tough 18 months and I feel this Holiday season is extremely important for reminding each other what matters the most.

LOVE matters the most

and acting like you are a loving person can be done by anyone at anytime.

If you don't feel loving then start practicing.

If you do then you deserve a huge hug and a kiss

And today is as good day as any to kick off the Holidays with a big

I LOVE YOU

Happy Holidays

Michael Timothy McAlevey