Oh to Where has Our Spirit Gone?

Halloween has passed and another Fall holiday is fast approaching. It is symbolized by a traditional feast including corn, mashed potatoes, and the turkey. Thanksgiving is a special time of year when people should reflect on their lives and be thankful for what they have. After this comes Christmas, my favorite, and it is symbolized by giving, Santa Claus, and joy/happiness. Sadly, today’s society has poorly misinterpreted these “joyous celebrations.”
First, let me begin with the problem occurring during Thanksgiving. It is a great event for reuniting families and all would remain great if it weren't for its brevity and the one day after it: Black Friday. Thanksgiving has been reduced to a few hours at the table when the family is eating dinner. The sales that happen on Black Friday and before are putting some shoppers in a total frenzy. Christmas presents are the first thing that comes to mind and Thanksgiving is soon forgotten.
What is it that people actually celebrate during Thanksgiving? Most would answer with something along the lines of pilgrims celebrating a good harvest with the Indians. Thanksgiving should resemble peace, but everyone forgets how many Indians were killed by the Pilgrims and explorers that came to the Americas. Giving thanks to that seems a little ironic.
To show how much people belittle Thanksgiving, I will use an example from my own neighborhood. Shockingly, it is still a week before Thanksgiving and there are Christmas lights decorating two of the houses already! Christmas songs will start to play in the radios soon and, in my opinion, it’s too early. It ruins the Christmas spirit by being monotonous by the time the 24th and 25th of December come around.
Christmas has lost its value as well. The only thing people focus on is presents. For example, one of my friend’s family does not understand the concept of Christmas quite well. They right down their presents on a piece of paper, put the papers in a box and then draw from it to see what they need to buy. Christmas does not have to be materialized. Sure, it’s nice if you get presents, but the more important things is to share the love of family.