Without meaning

Yesterday was a first. A retail first for me; I had to work. My company decided last year it was time to keep up with the Joneses and opened the stores. This year, it was my turn to work the Easter holiday. It saddened me to a point. 

Holidays have become just another day. They are a work day. The only day we do not open now during the calendar year is Christmas day. I wonder how long that will last? We must open. They will be open so we can't be closed. 

From a business standpoint, I understand the thought process. They are however, overlooking one simple thing; employees don't want to be there. Hell, I didn't want to be there. But I suppose corporations are simply reacting to what the buying public wants. And what does the buying public want? They want every day to be like every other day. 

Holidays have lost the luster of family gatherings and lively fun and relaxation. People put so much effort into making the basket or wrapping the presents or cooking the meal, they can't wait till it's over with. Many men then sit and veg in front of a television or find something else to occupy their time, and the women want to run away and get out of the house. It's their escape. What do they do? They go to stores.

The holidays have collapsed in America and it saddens me. Growing up, I enjoyed nearly every holiday as the year rolled along, at last climaxing with Christmas. Unfortunately for me, few now hold any special meaning. They are nothing more than the day before and the day after. They are a work day. 

One day, when I put the world of retail behind me, never shall I venture into a store on a holiday. I would be stealing from those employees that which I have lost.