A new year and new possibilities

As 2007 draws to a close, these are my wishes:
For our earth, tender, loving care and thank you for all the sunrises, flowers, gentle rains and for growing all of our good green things...For the animals, respect and a soft place to lay your head at night and thank you for all the joy you bring to our daily lives just in being who you are...For all peoples, peace...and my promise to continue to try to be a good citizen of the world...And for my family and friends, grace and wisdom... and thank you for all the love you shared in the past year.

Christmas Eve at Home

For the first time in many years, we were home on Christmas Eve. As the daylight faded, we set a fire and lit the candles. As they do each evening after dinner, the cats and dogs all settled down for their post-dinner-pre-bedtime-nap. Lady graciously shared her dog bed with Shackleton, while Oliver lay in his bed close to the fire. Jim and I sat in our quiet home and enjoyed each others' company, as well as that of the animals. As it became dark, a full moon rose, prompting us to take a walk outside, which we did, admiring the Christmas lights of men and the light from the heavens that illuminated our path.

The Best Gift

This is my Christmas gift: that this whale will not be killed in the name of science. It was announced in the news this weekend that Japan decided not to slay 50 humpbacks as planned. Caving to international opposition, they will leave these endangered animals alone. It is difficult to make sense of the fact that an animal as large as these whales has really so few defenses against preditors; the truth is that many of the calves we saw in Australia don't make it to their southern feeding grounds.
But this Christmas, somewhere far away in the deep blue ocean, 50 whales will be left to make their way in peace. The Christmas star for them will burn brightly.

A simple pleasure

Every morning, sometime shortly after getting out of bed and starting to feed the animals, either Jim or I make coffee. It's usually done brewing by the time the cat food, dog treats (for going outside to use the doggy "facilities"), and rabbit hay, pellets and banana slices are distributed. That first sip of nice hot coffee (usually Caribou) is so delicious and warm and nice. And almost every day, except for the occasional Christmas mug, I use my bird mug. It was a gift several years ago from Jim and has a variety of feeder birds all sitting along a clothes line- Cardinals, Chickadees and the like. Inside near the rim there is a little humming bird flying around. There's something comforting about using my bird mug every morning. It's such a simple thing, but it starts my day off just right- even if my last 1/4 cup is always cold!

My daughter, my friend

Heidi Marie celebrated her 24th birthday on the 17th of December. As every mother does, I think back over all the years since she came into my life on a cold winter morning in Atlanta at 5:33AM: holding her for the first time and annoying the nursery nurses because I kept her in my room all the time; seeing her play as a toddler in her flowered corderoy overalls; french braiding her hair and putting on her makeup in preparation for dance recitals; sitting at a bazillion soccer games from elementary through her senior year; helping her select her prom dresses. We weathered some rough times; there were periods when I didn't think I knew her any more and when I'm sure she wished she didn't know me. We made it through those years, and today, I couldn't be prouder of the woman my daughter has become. She knows who she is and is strong enough to stand up for her beliefs. There is a grounded sense about her that I know will serve her well as the years pass, and her heart is good. She has become a wonderful friend whose opinions I value. I wouldn't trade her for anything!! I love you Heidi!

Humpback Flukes at Sunset

No words can add anything to what you see. Megaptera novaeangliae, the humpback whales of Hervey Bay in Queensland, Australia.
(Photo by a researcher with the whale foundation)

Love

Winnie, my beautiful collie, loves me unconditionally. She waits at the glass front storm door at home, and as I pull into the driveway, I see her get up and she is there to meet me as I come in the back door. Her joy in my daily homecoming is enthusiastic and total.
In the past several days I have been compelled to think about love and what it means to me. Above all things, I value unconditional love most. It's difficult for us humans to love unconditionally, but it is possible. If I truly love someone, right to the very center of my heart, I can do nothing else but love them. To be loved unconditionally is life's greatest joy; I know this because I have been the recipient of that kind of devotion- from some of the people in my life and by my animal friends. I know right down to my socks that I can count on this love no matter what. These people may not always agree with every choice I make, but regardless, even if I feel their anger or dismay, I will also feel their love because they know my heart.
I also know what it is like to have conditions placed on whether I am loved. And while unconditional love is the greatest joy, love that carries stipulations can be one of the greatest sorrows.

Oh Christmas Tree

Today I decided to share some of the words of others about this special season....

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
John Lennon

Christmas day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
Welcome Christmas While we stand
Heart to heart And hand in hand
Fah who for-aze Dah who dor-aze
Welcome welcome Christmas Day
Dr. Suess

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, their old familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:"There is no peace on earth," I said,"For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men."
Till, ringing singing, on its way, the world revolved from night to day, a voice, a chime, a chant sublime, of peace on earth, good will to men!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

God bless us, every one!
Tiny Tim (Charles Dickens)

My Heaven

Years ago, a minister told my husband that "heaven will be whatever you need it to be".
In my heaven, animals like this gentle deer won't be afraid of me. She will walk up to me and take corn out of my hand and know that I will never harm her. It will be this way with all animals- domestic and wild. There will be shelter and food enough for every animal. There will be ice for the polar bears and forest for the chimpanzees. Cats and dogs will not live in shelters or wander the streets alone.
I can't honestly say when my huge- and irrational- love of animals became such a part of my soul. Maybe it has something to do with the cats, dogs and rabbits who share our home, each one wonderful and deserving of a good place to live. Maybe it has to do with the state of our earth, with global warming, pollution, and loss of habitat. Whatever the reason, I feel as if I have become the character on Star Trek who had the ability to personally feel the emotional pain others were experiencing. Hearing of animal neglect or abuse literally causes my heart to hurt. I see geese flying overhead and am filled with awe at their beauty; their calls are music to me. I saw this deer bound away across a field, free and graceful. And then I contemplate that people shoot these innocent creatures and I can't bear it.
And so, until my heaven arrives and I am free to live in peace with all animals, I'll continue to enjoy the daily blessings of my sweet furry children- Patience, Nell, Shackleton, Oliver, Sam Adams, Charlie, Stuart, Lady, Winnie, Mistie, Nutmeg and Jeffrey- and will watch the geese and deer and find joy in that and pray for their safety.