Black Friday Hopes

 


I don't think I have ever participated in the post-Thanksgiving retail ritual that is known as Black Friday.  I can appreciate that it is a time when many Americans have a day off and thoughts turn to the holidays so they rush to the mall and help retailers move to profit status for the year (i.e. from the red to the black).  BUT, as much as I like people, I HATE crowds, and even moreso dislike frenzied crowds.  So, from the Movie Days with George right after College (I think our record was five in one day and, yes, we paid for them all!) to the 330th day of 2021 when I just hung around the house, enjoyed my family, relaxed, and got some family TV time, I am happy not to be a participant in Black Friday.  I do, on 11/26/2021, have Black Friday hopes.  I hope that all of the small businesses who need it, especially after this pandemic, experience sales this weekend that move them from the red to the black.  I hope that the crowds were less frenzied and people were nicer to each other this year (however, given the news of the days, I doubt that hope came true).  I hope that the vacant parking lots we saw as we drove home on Thanksgiving means that most retail workers were able to spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones before heading in to prepare for the rush.  And, lastly, I hope that all who participate in Black Friday (and for that matter Cyber Monday) can remember, as I remarked yesterday, that it is out of abundance that we can participate in these rituals.  So, I hope that we call can realize that and remember others who have less on this day and share our wealth.... even if you did go shopping on Black Friday, maybe ESPECIALLY if you did.

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