What time are you getting up on Friday? I’m planning on sleeping in – at least until 6 a.m. I am not planning anything outside of my normal routine. It’s another regular work day for me.

See, I am not one of the brave souls who make plans to fearlessly go into the dark, cold night to make the best of Black Friday. I admire those of you who will roll out of your warm beds at 2 a.m., dress in your best shopping gear and head out in search of deals for all of those on your Christmas list.

You’ll think twice about your shoe choice to be sure that you pick your most comfortable pair. You’ll plan your day with the strategic attention to detail that would suit a major military operation. Then, you and your best shopping buddies will meet.

You’ll huddle in line with others who have come to reap the benefit of the merchant’s offers and, when the time comes, you’ll battle for your choice of the best Wii game, baby doll or sweater that the store has to offer.

You may come out bruised and battered, but as long as your trunk is full of Christmas loot, you will have won. It’s a ritual for some, planning next year’s trip as soon as this one is complete. Many would consider it fun, even joyful.

The Christmas season is full of joy. For many it begins with the mad rush of the day after Thanksgiving. For me, it begins when I put my Christmas tree up during the weekend that follows Thanksgiving Day.

No matter how you begin the celebration, I hope that you will take the time to slow down and realize the importance of the Thanksgiving holiday. It is often overshadowed by the excitement of Christmas, but there is no better time to come together with your family and friends to enjoy the things that mean the most to us. We have all been blessed in so many ways. Nothing could be easier than to stop and offer thanks.

So, as you eat your turkey and dressing, I hope that you’ll forget your Christmas plans for a minute, stopping to enjoy the moment at hand. Look around the table at the faces that join you and take note of what you have been given.

Then, on Friday, we’ll wake, knowing that we have taken time to enjoy Thanksgiving for what it was meant to be and move onto the Christmas holiday with hearts full of joy.

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving…

Wendy Ward is a Business Manager for The Messegner. She can be reached at 670-6301 or via email at wendy.ward@troymessenger.com.