Let my people go

My children have been asking me what Black Friday is all about. It is hard for me to explain it without a hint of sarcasm. My husband wants to tell them it is the day the slaves were all freed. He is a dork. My sister in law has convinced her daughter, sweet innocent Gwen, that the day is full of horror as people go to stores to fight and maim each other. Gwen is terrified of even the mention of ‘black Friday.’ My older kids understand and wanted to hit the stores last night at nine o’clock. At first I was impressed and then saddened when they admitted they weren’t going to Christmas shop, but rather ‘self shop.’ Good thing they are broke and I hold the car keys.

            It is funny to me that we spend days, weeks, dollars, and even sweat getting ready for a full on day of giving thanks, only to throw it all away the next day as we fight like cats to get those items we can’t live without. Isn’t there a sick bit of irony in that whole picture?

            I have to admit, I have participated in Black Friday before. It was two years ago, at the peak of my ‘move back to Arizona high’. I went out with my sister to hit the sales and ‘save a ton of cash!’  It was a total blast spending the day with my sister. We froze, stood in lines, ate at Wendy’s and took a nap on the floor of JoAnn crafts while waiting for the line to get fabric cut. I even have a few choice pictures to document the event. Did we save tons of money? I don’t think so. Did we find amazing deals? I thought so at the time…til my camera was the same price the day after black Friday. Would that be…grey Saturday? Did I end up buying lots of stuff I had no idea I needed desperately, yet knocked out that little grey haired lady to get to? No, not really. I’m kind of an easy going gal. If you want it? Take it. If you are going to die without it? Be my guest. Then again, when I found out I had scored the last Canon camera and then watched someone walk away sad….there was the tiniest rush of victory.  Hey, I’m human…..cause I said so.

Photo Credit: http://www.google.com/imgres?start=77&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=RMe&sa=X&tbo=d&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1434&bih=892&tbm=isch&tbnid=NoJZjtn4ddPCJM:&imgrefurl=http://blog.timesunion.com/kristi/black-friday-shopping-tips-2/44198/&docid=-jvuj8tHd4OpcM&imgurl=http://blog.timesunion.com/kristi/files/2011/11/blackfriday.jpg&w=500&h=479&ei=H7yvUK3DNsqkigK-7YG4Ag&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=433&sig=103592474589288220890&page=3&tbnh=139&tbnw=145&ndsp=41&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:100,i:49&tx=66&ty=62