Black Friday

Yesterday was Black Friday as I am sure we are ALL aware. The media did it's part to remind us to get out there and SPEND SPEND SPEND! To be honest though, I am not sucked into it. Sure, I went into town. I did NOT get up early though. You see, I figure if there are any sales worth hitting, they will still be happening after 10AM. I will let all of the crazy fools who want to get up before the roosters crow go ahead and get it out of their system. The last thing that rings the bells of Christmas for me are stupid, evil shoppers willing to kill to get that last Barbie, T.V., etc. This is NOT what Christmas or the holiday season is about. I have always known this, but yesterday, the true meaning of the holiday season came crashing into me.

We had gone to take a pair of boots back to the western store. I had bought them for my husband and they didn't fit. A little frustrated because not only did they not fit, but the store had NOTHING in his size, I went to wait patiently (as patiently as you can in a SMALL store with no air) in line.

Being here in "Cav Country" it is not unusual to see someone shopping for a Cavalry hat. The lady in front of me was doing just that. She had brought in a hat with a band on it as an example. She was shopping for a new hat with a new band, the same as she had in the bag. Just new... Then as they are about to place the band on the new hat, she says it. Words that stopped us all in our tracks, and any rushing you might have been doing, STOPPED.

This hat that she was shopping for, wasn't a hat to be worn. This hat, that a moment ago, was just another black stetson with a blue band, became one of the most beautiful hats to see. This hat would belong to an infantry man. An infantry man, that was killed just the day before in Iraq. This hat, wasn't for his head, but to be placed upon his casket.

All things stopped. A certain silence fell upon that tiny store. Everyone caught their breath for just that moment. No one knew what to say, or how to say what they were thinking. In that moment, for those that were there to hear her words, we were reminded that the important part of the holidays is loving those you are with.

I am sure that store makes hats for far to many soldiers that have fallen. For them, it might have been just another story. I don't think those words will ever fall softly, no matter how many times they are spoken. There is nothing more real than that moment.

Please remember this holiday season, to love those you are with. For those with loved ones deployed, hold tight to your love for them and stay strong. Holidays are about the love we have in our hearts for our family and friends.

Happy Holidays!