Something to remember for Thanksgiving by Mary Scmich

When reading the column, Scmich wants her readers to feel guilty and sad at first for wanting more things and complaining about how little they might have. Her dad says to her, "You never ask for anything" and that line makes your heart melt because you know she really can't ask for much due to their financial problem. But eventually, at the end, another thing her dad says is, "We don't have money. But we are not poor", and that is supposed to make readers feel grateful for the things that currently are in their life. Even if someone might have very little or a lot, he/she should still be very appreciative because some may not have as much.

"...no matter how little you think you have, there's always enough to give some away" is something that Scmich wants her readers to take away after reading her column. She wants her readers to know that it's not the end of the world if you're poor or if you don't have/make as much money that's needed to have a better life. There are still some things in your life that you do have and must be aware of that - because the point is, you have something. You're not entirely stripped of everything. 

The purpose of this column is to encourage others to cherish what is already theirs. So many people today want more and more, regardless of how much of they do have. For example, I have an iPhone 5. The new ones, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ has already been released. I see that some people have it and it makes me jealous and want to upgrade. What's the difference? Not much, just the size, really. But after reading "Something to remember for Thanksgiving", it has made me reflect. I realize that I'm a very lucky person to even have a smart phone at all. I should not be complaining or whining. Some can't afford a fancy phone like mine or some can't afford a phone at all. It's not about what you don't have, it's about what you do have. Very cliche, but it's true.

The diction and syntax techniques Scmich uses are hyphens, rhetorical fragments, and dialogue. The dialogue is most effective to her column because it lets readers kind of experience what is exactly going on. Also, the fact that she's telling a personal story, helps a lot with getting the readers to engage and feel connected. Some hyphens she used are "pop-up", "button-up" and "10-year-old". Her rhetorical fragments are "Curse" and "Lie". Honestly, I get why having these types of syntax and diction techniques can help make your piece way better (because it just makes it more interesting and fun to read), but I don't necessarily understand how it connects with getting your theme/claim across.

As I have said before, society tends to forget what they already have in their grasp and don't feel like it's enough. So they beg and want for more of what they don't have, not really appreciating what they do. Another possible point if you don't cherish what you have now, you might regret it later. Scmich just wants you to take a step back, see what you have, and be happy about it. Stop being sad/mad that you don't have the latest iPhone or Call of Duty game or those new shoes that everyone is wearing. Remember that "no matter how little you think you've gotten, you may understand later that it was huge". Also, to somewhat summarize Scmich's entire column into two words, I'd say it'd have to be: carpe diem. It means to make the most of present time (what you have) and give little thought to the future (what you're trying to get).