It was the season of Playstation 2 - the must have, hard to find gift of the holiday season. My kids weren't materialistic and they didn't always ask for the must have gift of the season - except for the year of Playstation 2. I made multiple attempts to get my hands on one prior to Black Friday, but to no avail. The outlook was grim. The supply wouldn't come close to the demand and no shipments were expected in time for Santa's elves to wrap it and get it into the sleigh in time. I had missed the boat on pre-ordering and I didn't have any good connections.
We made plans to travel to North Carolina to visit my parents for the Thanksgiving holiday. My husband and I planned to go Black Friday shopping in North Carolina, in hopes of finding the in-demand gaming system. Our kids were at the age when they no longer wanted to believe in Santa, but they weren't ready to risk admitting it....for fear of not getting any other presents under the tree besides new underwear and socks.
My sister and brother-in-law (Paul) were the first to relocate to Charlotte - the cost of living was much more affordable than living in NY. When my Dad retired from IBM, my parents followed them there. Paul had become my shopping buddy. We used to go out and shop all day to purchase gifts for my sister for Christmases and birthdays. We always had a great time together. We'd shop and go out to lunch together. He had the best sense of humor. I enjoyed his humor and he enjoyed my sarcasm. He was the brother I never had. I admit that, when he and my sister made the decision to move, I was deeply saddened. I knew we'd have very few opportunities to spend a full day together shopping.
My husband came down with the flu on the trip to North Carolina. He was still feeling ill on Thanksgiving evening. We both knew that he wouldn't be up for a 4:30am shopping trip. Paul stepped up to plate and happily volunteered to go with me. It would be like old times, except neither one of us had ever participated in the early morning, Black Friday frenzy.
Paul had both a love and a need for coffee. He made multiple daily trips to the same coffee shop near his home. He was a regular customer who ordered one of two of his 'usual' orders. He picked me up at 4:30am. He poked fun at the fact that I wasn't ready on time.......typical me. We went directly to the coffee shop. We were in a hurry, so we went the drive-thru route (so we could get to the stores ASAP). Paul ordered by dollar amount and not items. The person at the window recognized his voice and his unique way of ordering. The entire staff of this shop knew Paul. They knew his voice and they knew just how he liked his coffee. I thought that was completely hilarious and just so typical of Paul. He had a way of making everything fun.
We got to our first store, but failed to score the must have item, so we hurried to the car to head to the next store. We didn't find it there either so.............onto to the next store. Paul marveled at the controlled chaos that is Black Friday. People shopping with 2-way radios in hand and.........a mission. He loved the excitement in the air. Neither one of us could process why we had never partaken in the experience before. Along with fantastic bargains, there was fun and excitement in the air.
We made it to our third location and found what we were looking for. I did my victory dance - I got the goods and was going to make it home in time to have breakfast with my family.
"Isn't there anything else on your list?" Paul sounded disappointed.
"No, this is the only thing I needed to get. We're good to go home now."
"Oh - are you sure? This was really fun."
"No - I don't need anything else. Do you want to shop for anything?"
"No, I'm good too."
"Well this was lots of fun; just like old times! We'll have to do it again one day."
We headed back home with the most valuable gift I've ever gotten - a lasting memory made with my wonderful brother, Paul. Our first Black Friday shopping excursion also happened to be our last.
We lost Paul suddenly in 2007 to a heart attack. His absence is felt by many. I miss him more than ever this time of year. So, even though our kids are now grown and their Christmas wish list never consists of any must have toy, we still make a point to shop on Black Friday. Sure, my husband and I say we're going out to save some money and take advantage of the once-a-year amazing sales, but we both know the real reason I want to go out and be a part of the chaos.
This Black Friday the stores are open even earlier. My husband and I will go out; not with lists in hand, but with coffee in hand. We'll experience the excitement that is Black Friday. I'll be sure to remember to bring some tissues. The salesgirl at Macy's may think I'm shedding a tear because I paid 50% less for our daughter's jacket. Hey, who wouldn't cry over a 50% savings? My husband and I will both know that it's because I'm remembering and missing my brother. Many complain that Black Friday is too chaotic and not worth the hassle just to save a few dollars. For me, it's more about the memories and paying tribute to a man that is sorely missed.
If you see me at the mall and I look like I have tears in my eyes, I do. They will be tears of joy, because I am still grateful that I had that one last opportunity to shop with my brother. Thanksgiving is about gratitude. I hope to spend Black Friday being thankful for his memory, while making new memories with my wonderful husband.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and yours............... ~ HSM
My husband came down with the flu on the trip to North Carolina. He was still feeling ill on Thanksgiving evening. We both knew that he wouldn't be up for a 4:30am shopping trip. Paul stepped up to plate and happily volunteered to go with me. It would be like old times, except neither one of us had ever participated in the early morning, Black Friday frenzy.
Paul had both a love and a need for coffee. He made multiple daily trips to the same coffee shop near his home. He was a regular customer who ordered one of two of his 'usual' orders. He picked me up at 4:30am. He poked fun at the fact that I wasn't ready on time.......typical me. We went directly to the coffee shop. We were in a hurry, so we went the drive-thru route (so we could get to the stores ASAP). Paul ordered by dollar amount and not items. The person at the window recognized his voice and his unique way of ordering. The entire staff of this shop knew Paul. They knew his voice and they knew just how he liked his coffee. I thought that was completely hilarious and just so typical of Paul. He had a way of making everything fun.
We got to our first store, but failed to score the must have item, so we hurried to the car to head to the next store. We didn't find it there either so.............onto to the next store. Paul marveled at the controlled chaos that is Black Friday. People shopping with 2-way radios in hand and.........a mission. He loved the excitement in the air. Neither one of us could process why we had never partaken in the experience before. Along with fantastic bargains, there was fun and excitement in the air.
We made it to our third location and found what we were looking for. I did my victory dance - I got the goods and was going to make it home in time to have breakfast with my family.
"Isn't there anything else on your list?" Paul sounded disappointed.
"No, this is the only thing I needed to get. We're good to go home now."
"Oh - are you sure? This was really fun."
"No - I don't need anything else. Do you want to shop for anything?"
"No, I'm good too."
"Well this was lots of fun; just like old times! We'll have to do it again one day."
We headed back home with the most valuable gift I've ever gotten - a lasting memory made with my wonderful brother, Paul. Our first Black Friday shopping excursion also happened to be our last.
We lost Paul suddenly in 2007 to a heart attack. His absence is felt by many. I miss him more than ever this time of year. So, even though our kids are now grown and their Christmas wish list never consists of any must have toy, we still make a point to shop on Black Friday. Sure, my husband and I say we're going out to save some money and take advantage of the once-a-year amazing sales, but we both know the real reason I want to go out and be a part of the chaos.
This Black Friday the stores are open even earlier. My husband and I will go out; not with lists in hand, but with coffee in hand. We'll experience the excitement that is Black Friday. I'll be sure to remember to bring some tissues. The salesgirl at Macy's may think I'm shedding a tear because I paid 50% less for our daughter's jacket. Hey, who wouldn't cry over a 50% savings? My husband and I will both know that it's because I'm remembering and missing my brother. Many complain that Black Friday is too chaotic and not worth the hassle just to save a few dollars. For me, it's more about the memories and paying tribute to a man that is sorely missed.
If you see me at the mall and I look like I have tears in my eyes, I do. They will be tears of joy, because I am still grateful that I had that one last opportunity to shop with my brother. Thanksgiving is about gratitude. I hope to spend Black Friday being thankful for his memory, while making new memories with my wonderful husband.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and yours............... ~ HSM
