Retailers’ announcements that Black Friday — a miserable term that conjures up insane shoppers willing to do anything for a bargain — has moved back to Thanksgiving should be met with frowns and disdain.

Some things should always remain sacred. In a country where we are constantly reminded of our expanding waistlines, terrible economic climate and held responsible for past generations acts, one would think a day solely to give thanks for being alive would stay that way.

But no. Bottom lines on ledger sheets are more important than family in these upside-down times.

Certain days of the year are special and should be kept that way. Thanksgiving should be kept that way. It should be kept a day to feast, to give thanks for the blessings of the feast, to spend time with family and to be thankful that each morning your eyes open.

We will wake up in various time zones Thursday to hold special a tradition that belies traditions. If we are together, brother Dan, Mom and I will hover over piping hot cups of coffee and listen to Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant.” The family back-story for why we listen to that song would take up four volumes, but it is a tradition that now spans 15 years. It will be a tradition as long as the phones work.

If we are apart, technology via a three-way telephone call pipes us into the rambling song about Alice, the restaurant, the Group W bench and the bag of garbage. Often it takes 10 minutes of precise “Ok, start… now.” to get the three versions in three states to sync. Many times trying to get it to sync becomes more fun than the recitation of the song. After this many years, we recite it with the best of them.

Turkey and fixins’ will follow, with a bit of football and a well-deserved nap to wrap up the perfect day. The thought of fighting the crowds is as appetizing as roadkill. Making people come in to staff those stores for the hordes is even a bigger crime against society.

Some things should stay the way they are. Black Friday is bad enough, but to intrude on the one day everyone should just give thanks to being alive is worse.

Thanksgiving should be held sacred. If the people would not go to the stores intruding on the day, maybe midnight Thursday will return to Black Friday. No gadget or toy ever will compare to sitting down with family and giving thanks.

Now, excuse me while I warm up the pipes for Arlo.