It is two days before Thanksgiving. Things are going to be crazy in the grocery stores.

Capers are still with the condiments. Top shelf. Small bottle.

French fried onions are still on the top shelf in the vegetable aisle near the green beans.

If your frozen turkey hasn’t been put into the refrigerator yet to thaw, you might just be screwed.

Yams are on the bottom shelf with the vegetables, and marshmallows are in the baking aisle, usually on the bottom shelf.

The next couple of days everyone is going to be in a hurry. Thanksgiving comes every year at the same time. It hasn’t changed. You really don’t have to wait until the last minute to get all of those things you need. But, if you have had to wait please just understand that there will be lines at the checkouts. There will be people in the aisles randomly wandering. It is going to happen.

Restocking a grocery store for the holidays is grueling. 2000 – 3000 pieces of freight a night for the nightcrew to break down and get on the shelves. Call outs, people not showing up for shifts, having to patch holes in the schedules for cashiers. It is never ending.

The point being, for everything you can’t find on the shelf there is a reason. Out of stock from the warehouse, someone came and bought it all and no one has gotten to restock it yet. Look on the end of the aisles. There are displays of the most wanted items…for the most part.

The most important thing is to just breath. Take it easy. This is supposed to be a time for family, and friends. Not for losing your shit because you can’t find the maraschino cherries…which are usually on the top shelf over the canned pineapple in the fruit aisle.

Be good to people. Be good to yourself.

Breath.