Posted 10:37 pm Wednesday, November 28, 2012
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Raves, Rants, And Roses
Family time during holidays more important than 'stuff'
RANTS: Is nothing sacred anymore? As a business owner, I attempt to seek out every opportunity to sneak away and spend time especially holidays with my family. I want to do the same for my employees — give them time with their families. There was a time in this society when that was important, more important than money. But greed has exceeded the necessity for family; money is now what many corporations value more than people and families.
With every attempt to entice us away from the things we hold dearest, with promises of cheap throw-away televisions and other inexpensive things, we as a society lose something we will never get back: time. The time we will spend on Thanksgiving with our husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, cousin, uncle, aunt, or best friend. Are Black Friday deals worth that?
Some places are even opening on Thanksgiving Day to sell you “stuff” now. Is working on Thanksgiving Day worth that? Is making your employees work on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day worth that? I love “stuff” just as much as the next person, but I would trade the world and all of the “stuff” it had to offer on discount for one more day or hour or minute or even one last word with my mom and dad on that last Thanksgiving I spent with them.
So to my fellow business owners out there, please do not open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Allow your employees and yourselves at least two days a year to spend time with their loved ones — some of which will be their last spent with them.
As I prepare to celebrate what would have been my mother’s 69th birthday, I just remember those times when it was just us hanging out, preparing great meals, waiting for friends and family to visit us or to take food to them — not sitting in line at a megastore, behaving like idiots, fighting other people over clothes and televisions, getting trampled by crowds of people. That’s what a lot of kids nowadays will remember about their mothers and grandmothers.
I guess that’s why I never had a lot of “stuff” growing up — never the latest gadgets or whatnots, just family time during the holidays. Just a little something to think about while you’re waiting in line.
Cedric Fletcher
Tyler
With every attempt to entice us away from the things we hold dearest, with promises of cheap throw-away televisions and other inexpensive things, we as a society lose something we will never get back: time. The time we will spend on Thanksgiving with our husband, wife, mother, father, brother, sister, cousin, uncle, aunt, or best friend. Are Black Friday deals worth that?
Some places are even opening on Thanksgiving Day to sell you “stuff” now. Is working on Thanksgiving Day worth that? Is making your employees work on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day worth that? I love “stuff” just as much as the next person, but I would trade the world and all of the “stuff” it had to offer on discount for one more day or hour or minute or even one last word with my mom and dad on that last Thanksgiving I spent with them.
So to my fellow business owners out there, please do not open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Allow your employees and yourselves at least two days a year to spend time with their loved ones — some of which will be their last spent with them.
As I prepare to celebrate what would have been my mother’s 69th birthday, I just remember those times when it was just us hanging out, preparing great meals, waiting for friends and family to visit us or to take food to them — not sitting in line at a megastore, behaving like idiots, fighting other people over clothes and televisions, getting trampled by crowds of people. That’s what a lot of kids nowadays will remember about their mothers and grandmothers.
I guess that’s why I never had a lot of “stuff” growing up — never the latest gadgets or whatnots, just family time during the holidays. Just a little something to think about while you’re waiting in line.
Cedric Fletcher
Tyler
Angels On Earth
RAVES: On Wednesday, Nov. 14, the Alzheimer’s Alliance arranged for Josh Davis, an Elvis impersonator, to perform at the Alliance Day Club.
It was such a joy for the day club and friends to watch, as Josh sang, tap their feet, clay their hands and smile. Oh, those smiles. As they listened to the music for that moment they were whole. Sometimes people tend to forget that these afflicted with Alzheimer’s are just a blank canvas. They are people who just live a new day, every day. They have a mind waiting to be touched. We have to look for that one thing and it is not always easy.
Each volunteer at the Day Club have that gift. They have love, patience and joy in their hearts.
The staff at the Alzheimer’s Alliance are like angels on earth dedicated to support those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Please, please support the Alliance as you never know if and when you may need them.
Mary E. Gilmore
Tyler
It was such a joy for the day club and friends to watch, as Josh sang, tap their feet, clay their hands and smile. Oh, those smiles. As they listened to the music for that moment they were whole. Sometimes people tend to forget that these afflicted with Alzheimer’s are just a blank canvas. They are people who just live a new day, every day. They have a mind waiting to be touched. We have to look for that one thing and it is not always easy.
Each volunteer at the Day Club have that gift. They have love, patience and joy in their hearts.
The staff at the Alzheimer’s Alliance are like angels on earth dedicated to support those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.
Please, please support the Alliance as you never know if and when you may need them.
Mary E. Gilmore
Tyler
Election Day Lunch
ROSES: Thanks to Nana’s Little Red Bar in Arp. On Nov. 6, Election Day, Nana’s supplied and delivered hot lunches for all six Precinct 26 workers. The food was delicious. It made a long, tiring day much better.
So, Arp residents, as well as others in the area, or one just driving through our town, let’s support Nanas.
Nanas, we greatly appreciate your generosity and kindness.
Darlene Beene
Arp
So, Arp residents, as well as others in the area, or one just driving through our town, let’s support Nanas.
Nanas, we greatly appreciate your generosity and kindness.
Darlene Beene
Arp
Good Karma
ROSES: I was shopping at Broadway Square Mall on a recent afternoon and as I was getting in the car to leave I noticed I didn’t have my purse. I was so afraid someone had picked it up while I was looking through shirts at J.C. Penney. I spent the next hour frantically backtracking every store I had been in to see if I may have set it down there but no luck. I left my name and my Mom’s cell number at the mall main courtesy desk just in case. I finally gave up and headed to the AT&T store to let them know my phone was gone and try to get another one before I started cancelling debit and credit card accounts. While we were there the mall called and said someone turned in my purse! I want to send out a huge thank you to this person who renewed my faith that day. I wish I could have thanked you in person. Also, I would like to thank Matt at the AT&T Store for being so helpful and kind while I was about to fall apart. Sending good karma your way!
Dianna Pappas
Tyler
Dianna Pappas
Tyler
Show Stopper
RAVES: Again to the management and staff of the Hamptons Retirement Community for the entertaining Halloween program. Due to space, we did not mention Lisa, from management, who dressed as a 1950s teenager, complete with saddle oxfords and a baton. She surprised the audience with a show-stopping perfect baton-twirling exhibition, including the splits.
Mary Lanthier
Tyler
Mary Lanthier
Tyler
