This holiday season I have received some unexpected blessings, and one of them was a gift from my neighbor. Perhaps the idea came from a conversation we’d had where I told her that for the first time in a while I had decided not to put up a cut Christmas tree. My decision was based on the challenges of transportation during COVID-19 since I don’t own a car.

I was deeply touched when my neighbor presented me with the beautiful Christmas swag you see pictured above. I reveled in the fresh pine scent, the texture of the needles and the beauty of the bow. It took some thought until I found the perfect place to display it. It hangs in the garden, between the two fountains local wild and domestic animals love so much, and where I can see it first thing in the morning. And occasionally I may be fortunate enough to see a live bird add beauty as a moving decoration by landing on it.

Another unexpected blessing came out of my decision.

I dug out two ropes of artificial garland that I had in storage, and with some creative engineering (and a little swearing), managed to wrap them in lights and firmly anchor them in place around the front picture window. The look was festive, but felt incomplete.

I dug out my favorite Christmas ornaments, most of which have stories and evoke fond memories of Christmas’ past.

Praying that Night Sky would not view my treasured ornaments as his next favorite play toy, I hung the most delicate where hopefully he could not reach them, and the rest in descending order of fragility, ending with the wooden ones I figured he could not harm too much.

The tin star my father had made for me that usually topped the tree, now hung from the center of the garland, along with pine cone Santa.

When I stepped back, I realized how beautiful it all looked, and it worked from both sides of the window.

From inside, the lighted and decorated garland framed my view of the Wild Reiki Café where the birds and squirrels dined. The outdoor Pine Tree was now part of a living Christmas display.

Viewed from outside, Manitou and Night Sky watching the birds and squirrels from the cat tree looked like they were part of some gorgeous New York department store Christmas window display.

For me, the decorations now contained all the elements that made my heart happiest, and could also be enjoyed by all the adults and children who come by every day to watch the birds and the squirrels from outside. The perfect blending of wild and domestic animals and people into a new, and perfect holiday tradition!

And I am happy to say that Night Sky has only tried to play with the wooden ornaments twice. Success!

Blessings and Happy Holidays!
Rose De Dan, Manitou and Night Sky
Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing

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A WILD WAY TO HEAL
Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, is an animal communicator, Reiki Master Teacher, shamanic energy healer, and author. Her classes, sessions and ceremonial work are inspired by wild and domestic animals who have issued a call to action for personal and global healing.