“That’s my mama,” says Kolby, pointing to me as I drive while talking to her sister. My toddler’s burgeoning vocabulary makes me chuckle and I glance at them in the rearview mirror.
Faith smiles at Kolby. “Yes, that is Kolby’s mama,” she agrees. “But its Faith’s mama too.”
Kolby narrows her gaze into a territorial sneer, “No Faith. That’s Kolby’s mama. Not Faith’s mama.”
And so Faith volleys back and the next thing I know the car is filled with the wails of an almost two year old and her ten year-old sibling bickering over who has claims to me.
“Mine.”
“Ours.”
“No Faith, mine mama.”
It was funny at first –this cuteness of a toddler ensconced in a world where everything belongs to her; where sharing is optional and highly overrated (in Kolby’s opinion).
But as we move into the holiday season and I reflect on our culture, I don’t know if the world operates much differently than an entitled baby fighting over her mama.
Last week’s Black Friday headlines have left me scratching my head and wondering what the hell is wrong with our country?
And even though I love Target and Wal-Mart, (as much as the next women out there who can pick up power tools and Goldfish all in one store) I have to wonder what kind of ideology I am buying into when the Target add on TV depicts a woman training for the super athletic event of shopping.
After this year, maybe next year’s ad could show the woman training with weapons, like the lady in Walmart who pepper sprayed a group of shoppers to get to an X-Box?
Or they could show her at the gun range learning how to protect her loot, maybe jousting with a waffle iron, or learning ninja smart phone skills to take down those pesky people who get their grubby hands on your goods.
Mine. Mine. Mine,
How about practicing the art of the trample? There’s a nice pastime to usher in the Christmas spirit (and yes this is pure sarcasm because I know I will get a comment or another blogger posting Samantha Keller advocates trampling. I do not nor have I ever trampled…just to be clear!)
But I am appalled at the greed and inhumanity Black Friday reveals about the state of our hearts. Clearly, some Americans feel so entitled to a get a good holiday deal they will even kill for it. Really?
We now have two holidays that have mutated. What are we going to lose next?
Halloween –dress like a slut day and Black Friday –act like an animal at the mall day. (Use violence if necessary)
I’m taking a stand and reclaiming this Christmas.
It’s not about Santa or the “Christmas Spirit”, the lights (though they are fun), the presents (which are grand) or the food (even though I sure love pie).
Christmas is about a baby, born in a manger and a big God who made himself small to be with us.
And this Jesus is mine. And yours. And ours.
Buy less stuff! Instead of “Go Big or Go Home,” how about “Go Small and Go Home (and be with your loved ones.)
