Cats and Christmases

Mother has decided the Christmas season has begun, so I spent part of my Sunday putting out and decorating our Christmas tree. They're the same trinkets and ribbons from last year, so I figured it would be quick work. My cat Dwight decided to derail the whole process by climbing up and down the 5-foot tall tree, pawing at and playing soccer with the Christmas balls and chewing and unraveling the ribbons.

At first I was annoyed, but I just let him have his fun. After he's established that the tree was: 1) not a threat to his existence, 2) not edible and 3) not an exciting playmate, he got bored and slept under it. It's been his favorite napping place ever since.

Dwight is under a year old so he's never experienced Christmas. I wonder if cats will ever understand Christmas anyway. I think he shares my indifference towards the tree: pretty but plastic. Meant to liven up the living room, but no two family member ever lives in it for more than a couple of hours in the weekend. My family has been missing a member or two every Christmas, year after year, ever since I can remember. Someone is always not at home, by other obligations or by choice. So that warm, fuzzy, Hallmark picture-perfect scene where everyone gathers laughing under the family Christmas tree opening gifts and hugging all around? Totally alien to me.

When I get my chance to have a family of my own, I'm going to make sure no one gets to feel as weird as I do on Christmases. I'll tell you about it in a couple of years.