RDP Prompt: YULETIDE

Photographer Unknown

I really did try to find inspiration in the Christmas season.

I left myself open to holiday cheer, to watching a couple of those Hallmark Christmas movies so that I could try to wrap my brain around what made them ‘fun’. I even went and did a little Christmas shopping instead of ordering everything on line. I even did the meaningful stuff like giving to charity and smiling to people instead of nodding when I greeted them on my dog walks or when I got on the train.

I enjoyed being with my family and  participating in Christmas festivities, I really enjoyed seeing how much fun my Granddaughter was having. Hands down, seeing her enthusiasm really was the best part of the Christmas season.

But in the end all I wanted to do was to get through it.

Bat World Sanctuary- batworld.org

Right before Christmas we had an ice storm and by Christmas day it was near 50 degrees out and I had all of my windows open. That cool fresh air felt great after being locked up in dry heat for the better part of a week.

Dare I say? I felt a little cheerful.

After my family had eaten our fill, opened the presents, played some games and told some stories,  this little voice whispered in my ear, ” go on- kill the tree-stuff it in the garbage. You know you want too. It’s an old fake tree. Nobody will miss it. Just wait until everyone is gone and do it.”

That evening after everyone had gone home, I went to get the storage box for the decorations and I got ready to take the tree down and toss it.

I thought- you know it IS sort of pretty because it’s a little faded and crooked. It’s not a perfect tree but it’s charming in it’s way.  Plus for his own reasons Hamish Macbeth wasn’t going out of his way to stand next to the tree and wag his tail so that he could watch the ornaments fly off the tree and he could chase after them.

So that night I left the tree up and when I got up in the morning the lights were still on. Hamish was laying next to it the way he used to when his Cat brothers were alive and with us.

That’s when I decided I’ll wait a few more days before I take it down. What’s the rush? It’s just there in my living room looking warm and festive and that’s not such a bad thing to have around.

I think I’ve found it to be a little inspirational.

Hamish and Krampus
December 25th 2022
Photo: A.M. Moscoso