Hold the Christmas Lights, Let’s Celebrate Thanksgiving First

Not to sound like a Grinch, but why is everyone such in a rush to get to Christmas?

Honestly, if we can give thanks first before we deck the halls, that would be great. While driving down Sharp street in New Bedford, Abby from the Michael Rock Show had noticed a couple of eye-catching sites. Two houses were dressed up to the max in holiday fashion; one with Halloween decor, the other with Christmas.

Now, the one with Halloween ornaments gets an excused pass, since it's only a few days after Halloween and it's been raining cats and dogs ever since. However, as for the one with the Christmas lights, I will say that I am a little upset with it.

As a child, my mother was the queen of Hallmark, and legit had decorations for every holiday or season. When it was Halloween, there were carved pumpkins, skeletons and spider webs. For Thanksgiving, she had corn stalks, scarecrows and a cornucopia centerpiece. It was very fall-like, as it should be. Finally, when it was Christmas, there was a Nativity set, a porcelain Christmas village (valued in the thousands), a Christmas tree and, of course, the outdoor lights.

These days, it feels as though people are losing the spirit of Thanksgiving and its true meaning.

Again, I'm not trying to knock people down from enjoying the infectious spirit of Christmas, just asking that maybe we spend a little more time focusing on what we are thankful for and planning get-togethers with family and friends.

If you plan on impressing the neighborhood and everyone else and their mother who passes through with an expensive display, please wait until after Thanksgiving. We are always in such a rush to get to the next chapter in the year, the next capitalized money pit holiday, where places are pumping out Valentine's Day candy for the next fiscal year in January, that we tend to forget to slow down, even if it's for a few weeks.

Turn off the Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, and turn up Adam Sandler's "Thanksgiving Song." You'll be glad you did.

So, before I say Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas, let me breathe for a moment and count my blessings with those I love. Put down the Christmas lights and pick up a fork.

Let's eat some turkey.