It sure was a splendiforous Holiday season from most everyone's perspective
but mine. For some reason I don't get to go to the parties that I know for sure
were taking place all around us because I heard lots of laughter and some of it was
Meme's and Poppy's. They think I can't hear with the doors shut, but I
can. And I let them know it one night in my own special way.
Still,
I have to say that Christmas morning was pretty special even for me. It
was "just us" and I knew something good was going to happen when the
stockings arrived on the bed. There were 3 ... one for each of us.
I had treats and bones and best of all a piece of rawhide which is usually a
big no-no for me, but this was a very special day. So all the presents
were opened and everyone was pretty happy with their bounty. Only problem
was I didn't smell anything cooking which meant, one more time, I was left home
alone.
We live in a community with lots of neighbors. When you fly in, the
houses look like they are attached ... that's how close together they
are. Even though Meme grew up without another house in sight, she always
wished she had neighbors. All grown up she lived in an apartment in New York City for years and years. And Poppy, too, was used to the city with
neighbors close by. So Meme has memories of what she calls the "sweet innocent life of the country" while Poppy remembers the "exciting
sweet life of the streets". They often argue.... whoops! I mean
"discuss" the pros and cons of both.
If they asked me I'd vote for neighborhood living. When I go out for
my romps, I like to see people and other dogs. It just makes life much more
interesting. But the truth is every house is filled with people who live separate lives from us and love their dogs as much as I am loved. People have stuff they have to do, jobs
they need to go to, kids they have to take care of or parents who need their
help. There's always something going on that puts people into their cars and
takes them down the street and out onto the highways ... sometimes just for an
hour or two and sometimes for days or weeks at a time. And when they drive out
of their driveways and out onto the street they wave at their neighbors as they
pass; if they have a few extra minutes they'll stop, roll down the window and
talk for a bit. But then they go on their way and their neighbors go back in
their houses and they may not see each other again for weeks at a time.
Hanukkah came very close to Christmas this year so in December there were
people celebrating special holidays all over the world.
Everyone everywhere was just friendlier and on our street there were lots of
decorations and lights. The back of our house looks across a lake and the
people on the other side put up the prettiest holiday lights I ever did
see. Meme considers those lights part of our decorations and she
"frames" our view with tiny white lights on our patio trees. The bright festive lights sparkled on the water like
dancing fireflies on a New England Spring evening. And then there were the parties with
neighbors inviting neighbors into their homes so they could get a chance to know each
other better than a quick wave as they go about their lives.
There's something about the season and something almost magical comes over
just about everyone this time of year. People reach out to their
neighbors inviting them to share some time with their families and
friends. And while I'm left home to wait for Meme and Poppy to come back,
I also know what it means to live in a place we now call "home", a
place once alien and so far from everything they'd ever known and loved.
So with the holidays behind us we begin a brand new spanking year.
It's a time everyone starts fresh with a clean slate, an empty canvas with a
brand new set of crayons, the mistakes of last year set to rest ... when we
promise ourselves that this year will be different and we'll stick to all our
resolutions. I know there's one thing I hope and my family share ....
that all the camaraderie that everyone shared over the holidays continues and
everyone doesn't go back in their houses closing the door behind them, waving
quickly from their cars as they drive down the street. We're all in this together; we all face the big stuff that comes our way so maybe we can
keep that warm, friendly feeling going all year long. We sure can try.
'Til Next Time,
Molly
