A Prayer for My Grandkids

Over the past several weeks I have become increasingly upset about the ugliness of commercialism taking ownership of our holidays. How easily and willingly so many have given up the real joys of the season.
My prayer is that I be a better example to my Grandkids.  Thanksgiving weekend will be about this:

NOT this:

I vow not to sell my family short for the sake of saving a few bucks on a flat screen tv.....or whatever else I have deluded myself into believing will bring me any real happiness.   I vow to help the little ones in my life understand what is of lasting importance.  In the process I am bound to remind myself.   

This year begins a new John's Family tradition.  On "Black Friday" me and my Grand-daughter will drive right on past the madness and go to the food share to donate.   I will do my best to explain to her why this is the better choice.  As the years pass I hope the practice will make an impact on Cecelia, Mason and the grandkids to follow.  I will be one proud grandma if it does.

My prayer for my Grandkids is that they become more.  More than I have been in my lifetime.  More than the zillions of crappy examples of 'how not to be' that they will be surrounded by during their young impressionable years.  

I hope some will join me .  Put away the credit card and remember what is real about this coming Thanksgiving weekend.  Don't wait until you are dying to figure it out.  Please.