The Holiday that we tend to forget..

Some of you might have noticed that Thanksgiving is now starting to become a bit forgotten.

We have Halloween, force-feed kids TONS of sugar, and have great spooky decorations and haunted houses. Then immediately take down all of those decorations to put up CHRISTMAS lights, run ads for toys and gifts, and basically start playing Christmas carols.

Are we forgetting something??

Thanksgiving is what I would consider one of our more fundamental holidays to celebrate.

Thanksgiving celebrates the founding of this great nation that I live in. It describes the thanks that the early settlers felt in being able to leave an oppressive regime and practice their religion and beliefs without fear of some kind of radical persecution.

Yet now this day is basically a footnote in the grand scheme of things.

We have Halloween. Day of the dead. Spooky movies, creepy costumes, candy, wander around and scare folks.

Then we've got Christmas. Giving presents. Gifts. Candles. Snow. Lights. Icicles. Christmas Carols. Peace on Earth mentality.

Yeah. They're both POWERHOUSE celebrations.

But Thanksgiving is also just as important in my opinion.

On Thanksgiving, my family tends to get reacquainted with each other. Those who have been busy with work or school still find time to get back with the family and update us all with things that have been going on in their lives. We become thankful for the variety of blessings and chances we've been given.

To be honest, my family tends to celebrate life during Thanksgiving. To me, that's what Thanksgiving is all about. The joy of life, it's trials, tribulations, gifts and blessings.

I mean, we remember those who were with us, but no longer able to attend. We reconnect with family who might live far away. We rejoice in the new life that has joined the family; New husband or wife, maybe a new baby. Whatever the reason, there's an overwhelming sense of joy and a vitality in the gathering.

So why does this holiday tend to get overlooked?

Is it because it's so sandwiched in between some seriously commercial holidays?

Is it because we as a country have become more concerned about gaining that extra chance to push more retail out of our department stores?

I'm not really sure.

My biggest concern will come with the advent of someone starting to disregard Halloween for Christmas.

When they start skimping on the Halloween decorations to start running christmas ads, and then decorate for Christmas near the end of September when most people are gearing up for the Day of the Dead.. Then I'll really start to worry about our commercially-driven society.

Until then, I'll happily celebrate this holiday with my family.

I'll rejoice in the new lives started, the older lives lost, and the gift of life that I've been given with the people that I love and care for.

I hope you all have a great holiday season. Don't forget to be thankful for all that you've been given an opportunity to experience!