• by dave.b , Max Kalehoff , November 23, 2007

Sometimes I scare myself. My parents recently brought over a handwritten Thanksgiving essay I composed for second-grade English class. I hadn't seen this masterpiece since I wrote it in 1983! Here it goes:

"My mom made me get up early in the morning and kill a turkey for Thanksgiving. Then I had to clean him and cut the neck off. After that I had to get the fire started. I put the coals in the smoker. Then I put the turkey in. And lit the coals. Now I can rest." (See my accompanying artwork here.)

Twenty-four years later, I'm not the hunter I once dreamed I'd become. However, many tell me my bluntness, gray sarcasm and turkey-scratch handwriting live on strong.

With the holiday season upon us -- stymied by the paradox of giving by spending, and an advertising industry eager to comply -- it is important to be thankful for what really matters. My nostalgic essay above reminded me what matters most: My family. My health. And self-empowerment. With those gifts, I feel I can "rest" this Thanksgiving holiday, especially on this Black Friday.

What matters most to you?