As many of you may have gathered, we are not really having Christmas here. My human wanted to put up the fake tree and the decorations, but she had so much work to do on the cat rescue anthology that is coming out at the end of January that she never found the time. And the humans here are having a pretty awful year financially for a bunch of different reasons, so they aren’t even giving each other gifts, much less anyone else. And I decided that instead of gifts for myself, I wanted to help other kitties who don’t have homes yet — and that became the Santa Kitty Toy Hop. So even there had been a tree, there would have been nothing to put under it this year.
But as you know, the spirit of Christmas, and the whole holiday season, isn’t really about getting gifts at all. Some say it’s about giving, but that’s not quite right either. The true spirit of Christmas, especially for secular households like the one I live in, is both simpler and deeper. Christmas is about caring.
Caring does not necessarily have anything to do with gift giving. It is about being thoughtful and looking out for your fellow creatures. My human says that when she brought the toys for the blog hop to the Kitten Rescue kitties, it wasn’t the toys that were important, but the time she took to play with the adult kitties, who don’t get enough interactive play in their life. Just giving a gift does not do that. Taking action to make someone’s life better, even if it is not costing you anything, is what is important.
So this Christmas, think about what you can do to make someone happy, or to help them if they are suffering. It does not have to be money or stuff. It can be words. It can even be sitting and just being there for them. I do a lot of that with my human. And actually, I think she needs that more than she needs a lot of the other things she thinks she does. And I have a sneaking suspicion that she knows it, too.
Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. Let the spirit of the season live within you. Now can I take off this Santa sweater? I outgrew it about three months ago!
Lovely – and true – words, Summer. Purrfectly said.
Summer, you and your human are very wise. Giving of ourselves is the greatest gift of all. Just like the joy you spread as a therapy cat in training and all the joy you’ll bring to people when you’re an official therapy cat. That’s what love and life is all about.
We’re so very happy you’re our friend.
xoxo
Glogirly, Katie & Waffles
Very wise words Summer! The greatest thing in our Christmas was also to get our family together, by inviting my secretary’s siblings and their children and their spouses to our home to spend a very rare time when we all are together. Caring and togetherness!
I agree Summer, Christmas is about caring, not about what is spent. As long as there is abundant love in your house, you had a very rich Christmas.
Luvs
Marty’s Mom
A belated but heartfelt Merry Christmas.
Annabelle * Boo * Ping * Jinx *
Angels Abby * Gracie Grace
Wes didn’t has much this year either Summer..but we hasd each others..Hugs..
You are so right, Summer. Mom didn’t do any gift exchanging here for many of the same reasons. Since we are new to the area, she hasn’t found a local organization for us to support, but that will be tops on her list for the new year!
What a wise and thoughtful kitty you are, Summer !!
Wish you and your family a Merry Merry CATmas 🙂
XOXO
Very wise and thoughtful….. We take so many things for granted, including the true meaning of Christmas.
Thank you so much for this beautiful post!
Merry Christmas!
Summer,
Mum and I admire your commitment to a good and giving Christmas. Can we just say Thank You for all your work on the blog, that we loved and miss Sparkle, and wish you the best for a prosperous, and successful 2015. You deserve it mroe than almost anyone we know.
Harvey, Miranda, Silver and Phoebe Kitten
it is the thought that counts.. and when there is a loving heart behind it, what is given isn’t what is special, but the act of love that comes with it.
Sparkle, wes with your peoples darling. Life here is not great this Christmas either. hank cod for Photoshop!
Wes sends yous best wishes and a better year next year!
• ★ Merry ★*♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•*
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•*★ Christmas¸¸.•*¨*•
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸.•★Kisses ★¨*•.¸¸¸.•★
•*¨*•.¸¸♪♫•¸¸.•Nellie★•*¨*•
What a wise and thoughtful kitty you are, Summer. Merry Christmas to you, Binga, Boodie and your humans and her boyfriend. We love and appreciate you!
You are a wise kitten. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas.
Couldn’t agree more. Wish we could have collected and posted a slideshow but my typist isn’t ready for that yet. Leaving comments is a stretch …happy holidays
Love and peace to all.