Saturday morning has been industrious. Like Snow White singing a happy cleaning song with her forest friends in tow, my family scurried around the house, making it sparkle like the Southern California weather of this fine October day. There is a feeling of Autumn, though not from crisp weather or crimson leaves, but from the anticipation of turning back the clocks, candy corn sitting in a bowl on the counter and pumpkin pie being discussed for dessert.
Though we as a family don’t “celebrate” Halloween, we are looking forward to a night of family fun, food and friends. The stew is in the Crock Pot, Ghost Busters is ready for a premier viewing with the kids and the slumber party guest has a pillow waiting for her head.
Turning the clock back seems to usher in the Holiday Season with earlier bedtimes, the scent of fall flavored candles and the desire to turn the oven on and bake, putting a smile on one’s face and creating anticipation for the first slice of pumpkin pie , eaten with family and friends, tonight perhaps, and then again for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But the commercialism that this time of year brings, beginning with Halloween lights of orange and black, to Christmas lights of green and red, for many is the catalyst of the holiday season, wholly lacking in meaning and purpose.
What if we could truly turn the clock back and bring back a better time in America? What would that look like? In my mind, I picture a Norman Rockwell image and the idyllic scenes of the American family spending a holly, jolly Christmas together, with the focus on family and Christ and not on the walls of Walmart decked with superfluous fluff. But what would make for a picture perfect America and how could we turn back the clock per se to attain it?
Politics will not bring back the best of what Pumpkin Pie represents in America. The first Thanksgiving gave thanks to God for His Bounty and His Provision. Politicians have never provided Pumpkin Pie. Today, I set aside time to ponder turning back the clock, pumpkin pie and a time with my family that reflects a yearning for moments gone by when America cherished what was lasting and good and understood that all Pumpkin Pie comes from God in heaven.