“Where are the bathrooms?”
Allow me to set the scene for you. It’s 9:30 a.m. on Black Friday, the movie theater’s busiest day of the year.
I worked Thanksgiving night, am currently in the middle of a double shift and am schedule to work tomorrow night as well.
I’m tired, I’m cranky and I’m still full of turkey from yesterday’s festivities.
I’m tearing tickets like a fiend at the front podium as I direct the movie-goers to the correct wing of the theater.
My string of greetings seems endless, “Hi. That’s theater four to your left. Enjoy the show. Hello. Theater 12. That’s to your right and straight down the hall. Enjoy your show.”
I barely have time to get this out as the continuous mob of customers shuffles by, let alone answer brainless questions concerning the whereabouts of our restroom facilities.
“Where are the bathrooms?” Someone else asks me again.
It’s still way too early for me to be functioning and the first answer that pops into my mind is, “You see that green sign hanging directly in front of you that says ‘Restrooms’?”
But my manager is standing about 10 feet away, so I fight the urge to be sarcastic, smile and just say, “Around the corner to your left.”
The crowds, the extended hours, the long lines, the Salvation Army bell ringer in the lobby-it can only mean one thing: the Christmas season is upon us!
I absolutely love Christmas. Not only is it a time to spend with family and friends, but it is also a time to give to others.
So, imagine my shock when my manager informs me that the aforementioned bell ringer is stealing the very holiday donations he is collecting.
It’s sad but true. I saw it with my own eyes.
I carefully watched the bell ringer and saw him slyly pocket the donations on at least three occasions.
Now that’s just wrong! Talk about ruining the Christmas spirit.
Luckily, upon this discovery, the Salvation Army was contacted and by the end of the hour the bell ringer had been replaced.
As I thought about the day’s events after finally clocking out for the night, I couldn’t help but wonder, what is the world coming to?
Have we forgotten the reason for the Christmas season?
It seems like all that people are concerned with today is money and material possessions.
But Christmas is not merely about receiving gifts. Rather, the holiday is based on giving.
Sure, Christmas may involve caroling, playing in the snow, writing Christmas cards, baking cookies, putting up and decorating a Christmas tree or parties with family and friends.
However, let’s not forget why we participate in these traditions.
There’s no better time than Christmas to express thankfulness for all of our blessings and to show our gratitude toward others.
Often times, the simplest gifts mean the most. Homemade gifts are usually regarded as sentimental and cherished for years to come.
It’s not the gift itself that is important; it’s the spirit of giving and the thought behind it that matters most.
So this year, as you prepare your Christmas list in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the season, remember what is really important.
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