letter to the editor

Where are the good old days?

Tue, 12/06/2016 - 10:30am

Dear Editor:

A few days ago, I got thinking that it is about time we talk about something besides politics. For one, Thanksgiving. It has been passed over for many years. We go right from Halloween to Christmas.

Where have the good old days gone, where families got together and the men went out hunting until it was time for dinner? As kids, my mother always started the turkey the night before, then she finished cooking it the next day while everything else was cooking and while watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The aroma in the house was to die for. After cleaning up, we watched more television, took a nap, or went outdoors to play.

No, the stores are open on Thanksgiving night. Then comes Black Friday ... people running you over with their carts or pushing you aside and taking things out of your hands. Sounds like so much fun (not). This year someone got killed during a fight over a parking spot. How sad.

Then you have Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday is supposed to be convenient for online shopping. But some stores require their customers to come to the store to pick up the items ordered online.

Maybe I am feeling a little bit nostalgic, but I think this is all wrong. I've only been shopping on Black Friday twice. I was not impressed at all. Give me the good old days, the days of the blue laws. Life was simpler then. Many Mom and Pop stores have gone out of business. Going shopping on Thanksgiving was not even thought of when I was a kid, and for sure, not Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

I know the only thing that stays the same is everything changes, but sometimes, not for the better. They have made Christmas so commercialized nowadays. Everyone has forgotten the real meaning of Christmas.

I do my Christmas shopping in July when I have extra money from work. That way, I miss out on all the crazy happenings. My favorite time for shopping is after Christmas when you can get some really good deals.

It is really sad that nothing is sacred anymore.

Merry Christmas to all.

Juanita Kristoff

Boothbay