In the moment

As I sit here being bombarded with gifts ideas, decorating tips, etc. for Christmas, I wonder why we cannot just be in this moment. Halloween is almost here yet we are worrying about Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas presents. When I catch myself wondering why I cannot just enjoy the minute, I try to remember what Gertrude would have done. I do not think she ever verbalized her concern for upcoming holidays. She had a way of just being present.

Perhaps a reason for all the fervor over the holidays is due to the commercialization of every holidays. As a kid it was an exciting evening to go with my grandmother, Gertrude to the stores on Main Street in Buffalo. The major department stores went all out for window displays . The windows had animated of people, trains and even dogs.

At night there were lots of colorful light and decorations. Hens and Kelly, Bergers, A &M & A competed for the best display and every year the windows had new and improved decorations.

I have not been to Buffalo at Christmas in many years. I do not believe any of those old-time department stores are even around. The big box stores now dominate, Black Friday sales are now almost every week.

I would love to go back to the simplicity of the “Old” days. I am sure Gertrude would not be happy about the propaganda of the holidays of today.