I love the holiday season.  Which to me lasts from November until the beginning of January.  I enjoy the media reports of people flocking to retail outlets in the wee hours of the morning to get into a fight over a meaningless $50 discount.  I enjoy the reports of 'miracles' occurring around this time of year and people giving thanks for things that are taken for granted every other day.

 We all have our reasons for the season and regardless of my sarcastic remarks I also have my own superficial reasoning. This time of year brings to mind a poem by Percy Bysshe Shelley here is an excerpt:

'Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".

It reminds me that our accumulation of material wealth it can and will be destroyed by time with the exception of memories.  The bonds and changes we bring to others will leave a lasting impression.  We all cherish our fondest memories and coming together with friends and family are precious moments.  

I try to thank those that have in some ways changed me for the better.  As we all carry on with our lives after this holiday season, try not to throw away this thankful nature as if it was leftovers from our glutton-fest or the remains of decayed pine trees. Instead think of someone, a teacher, professor, friend, family, parole officer, anyone who has changed you for the better and reach out to them a tell them simply 'Thank You'.  Those two words when said with true sincerity will echo throughout their lives and mean more to them than a $20 trinket or LCD TV. Let us this season, next year & the years to come give the gift of memories rather than piling up on the superficiality of retail-ism. Make a change in someone's life. Be that listening ear or sincere hug. Oh by the way if anyone wants to thank me I'll take the LCD TV if it is bigger than 50”.