In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving from the fourth week in November, as President Abraham Lincoln first set it, to the third Thursday in November. This was done to give more buying time for Christmas and boost our nation’s economy. It was moved back to the fourth week a couple of years later. Today, however, there is no need to move holidays around. Christmas lights and Halloween decorations together are not an uncommon sight, presidential degree or not.

I can’t do much about boosting the economy, but I do know about things I would like to have and have already started a Christmas list. Most of my suggestions come from book stores, of course.

When our first-born was about 18 months old, we were going through a store. He was strapped in his stroller. Suddenly, he did something he had never done before. With a lightning reach, he grabbed and clung to a pillow. It was the front and backside of a beaver, printed on cloth, with the word “smile” on its T-shirt. Our son didn’t say anything, like, “Want this.” He just grabbed and hugged tightly — a man of action.

With this think-of-what-I-want season,  besides the biggies (love, joy, peace, faith, hope, family), I allow myself to be selfish and think of  some things I’d like. Besides a few simple material things, what I want to cling to is the freedom and time to write. Writing (and reading) would be my pillow with a “smile” on it.