Wednesday of last week I flew to San Jose, CA to see my big sister Lacy, her husband Cliff, my little sister Kallie, and my Mom. Even though it's not where I grew up and I am in no way familiar with the area, it felt like home. I realized that its not about where you come together or even how you come together, but instead simply that you do come together. I miss my family often; they are the only thing missing in paradise.
Anyway, I have never considered my family "consumeristic". By that I mean I never really thought that we were rooted in consumerism or normal Western ideas surrounding the holidays; I'm beginning to realize I was wrong.
I'm not saying it's terrible to splurge, go all out, and have one weekend that you treat yourself to something nice; instead I'm realizing that this desire to spend lots of money because it is a holiday (as if its a necessity, or justification at the very least) is engrained in us, so much so that I have always overlooked it. Maybe I'm just growing up; maybe I'm beginning to open my eyes. Either way it is becoming very clear to me that we, as modern people and especially Americans, have made consumerism a part of our culture, and this practice of spending ridiculous amounts of money around the holidays is a tradition or custom. It's kind of like those people who only go to church on Easter and Christmas. Instead, my family only goes all out on Christmas and Birthdays.
I think this says a lot about our culture. Why is it that people feel the need to spend money to mark a significant occasion? I am certain that my family and I still would have had an incredible time, even if we only had Spam. Instead, though, we felt it necessary to spend lots of money on food, as if to guarantee fellowship and togetherness.
I dont' mean to sound unappreciative here; I appreciate the food and time I had greatly (I'm lucky to get it once a year). Still, I don't think that it is necessary and I'm beginning to realize that most people, without even knowing it, do.
No comments:
Post a Comment