So this is Christmas. . .
I'll spend this morning digging out from under the leftover wrapping paper, the botched bows, and stepped on boxes; and maybe I'll find Miss Kitty underneath it all, draped in scrunched-up ribbons or sitting in a box under the dining room table. I can't figure out whether she wants to be someone's present or is in disguise, hiding from Mr. Grey, a young ferral cat who comes for breakfast every morning. Three years into this relationship with him, she's still suspicious of his intentions. I've tried to tell her he's only interested in food, but I can see her rolling her eyes and then I get this hooded stare, that I've become accustomed to, that says, 'Don't you know anything?'
She imagines he can walk through glass. I've also told her they lock people up, and cats too, for all I know, for that sort of thinking, and that only ghosts can walk through glass. She says she's scared of ghosts and please stop that talk! Then I get the look that says, 'Ghosts! And you think I'm the one that should be locked up??' and positions herself where she can keep an eye on all the doors and windows. Or from under the wrapping paper or a pot plant that barely covers her bulk. Which is substantial in the winter. She's sprouting enough fur to stuff a small mattress, which luckily, will stay attached to her until spring. If she doesn't get too close to the fire place.
But all in all I think she's quite pleased with the way things are shaping up in these days before Christmas. Visions of sugar plums dancing through her head are probably rampant. Or, in her world, it's probably roast bird and sausage stuffing. And any day now, she's going to be all over me, buttering me up with purrs and promises to be a loving and sweet kitty, in anticipation of all of the above. She's such ham!
Actually, there's nobody more honest than a cat. They know what they want and they know how and when to get it.
Miss Kitty lives in the moment. And I hope that, this Christmas, you and I will too. I hope you'll enjoy the moments of sparkle, the angel or star at the top of your tree, the sugary smells of cookies baking, the sweet tones of caroling in packed grocery stores and the crackle of wrapping paper as children tear open their presents. And as we sit down to Christmas dinner I hope we all spend a moment thinking of others who cannot be with us on this Christmas Day. My list lights up with the names of old friends, people who are watching down from Heaven, soldiers in the field and sailors on our ships at sea. My country too, ranks high on that list.
Let's surround ourselves and our thoughts with the light and peace of Christmas and just for a moment, include everyone we know in that light: Friends and relatives, long forgotten people who made a difference, and everyone everywhere who isn't as happy or as fortunate as we are in this moment. And then let's move that light and peace forward through all the moments of the New Year.
"Can we eat now?"
That Cat!
Merry Christmas, everyone! And to my dear friends who are celebrating Hannuka and their own special end of year events, be Happy and Live in the Moment with us.
