Joy From Linda Wood Rondeau
There is a reason I do Christmas with a small fiber-optic tree.
I hold my now twelve-year old cat and reflect back to that day when I surrendered my will to a bundle of fur. Six-month-old Duffer, our adopted orange and white kitten loved the excitement of the six-foot tree as I adorned it with my Christmas memories. He batted away, believing the tree was his new toy. I tried to explain to him that these ornaments he had knocked off the bottom limb were very precious to me. My husband laughed. “Do you really think he understands?”
I tossed Duffer his favorite catnip mouse. Diversion had always worked for my two-year-old. When I plugged in the lights, he bounded in, sniffed at the tree, stretched his torso three branches up and batted on the relocated ornaments until one by one, they plopped to the floor.
Like my GPS, I decided to recalculate.
I sat by the tree with a water pistol. Duffer stared me down, stretched his torso as far as he could reach. I aimed and fired.
“I win!” I said as he scooted.
Not for long. He sauntered back in, and stretched to full measure yet again, this time merely blinking when I sprayed him.
“We’re not finished, yet, Cat.”
Next I tried aroma, a cat-deterrent spray that smelled like ammonia, highly recommended by cat trainers everywhere. Unfortunately, the spray was equally offensive to humans. I admired my undisturbed tree amidst coughs and gagging. At least for awhile.
“Get down from there,” I yelled. I’d never screamed at my kitty before. He looked at me with sad eyes as if to say, “Now, how could you possibly talk like that to someone as cute as I am?”
He stayed away for a few hours. When I went back to the living room later that day, Duffer had managed to find another napping place near the top of the tree.
“Duffer!” I yelled. He jumped. Like Jill of the nursery rhyme, the tree came tumbling after.
The next day I bought a three-foot fiber optic and the rest is history.
Christmas is now enjoyed by all.
When I remember Duffer’s first Christmas and his insistence to find his place among the inviting branches, I think of how God woos us, relentless in His pursuit for our Love. So much so, He sent his only Son to show us the way to Him.
I hold my now twelve-year old cat and reflect back to that day when I surrendered my will to a bundle of fur. Six-month-old Duffer, our adopted orange and white kitten loved the excitement of the six-foot tree as I adorned it with my Christmas memories. He batted away, believing the tree was his new toy. I tried to explain to him that these ornaments he had knocked off the bottom limb were very precious to me. My husband laughed. “Do you really think he understands?”
I tossed Duffer his favorite catnip mouse. Diversion had always worked for my two-year-old. When I plugged in the lights, he bounded in, sniffed at the tree, stretched his torso three branches up and batted on the relocated ornaments until one by one, they plopped to the floor.
Like my GPS, I decided to recalculate.
I sat by the tree with a water pistol. Duffer stared me down, stretched his torso as far as he could reach. I aimed and fired.
“I win!” I said as he scooted.
Not for long. He sauntered back in, and stretched to full measure yet again, this time merely blinking when I sprayed him.
“We’re not finished, yet, Cat.”
Next I tried aroma, a cat-deterrent spray that smelled like ammonia, highly recommended by cat trainers everywhere. Unfortunately, the spray was equally offensive to humans. I admired my undisturbed tree amidst coughs and gagging. At least for awhile.
“Get down from there,” I yelled. I’d never screamed at my kitty before. He looked at me with sad eyes as if to say, “Now, how could you possibly talk like that to someone as cute as I am?”
He stayed away for a few hours. When I went back to the living room later that day, Duffer had managed to find another napping place near the top of the tree.
“Duffer!” I yelled. He jumped. Like Jill of the nursery rhyme, the tree came tumbling after.
The next day I bought a three-foot fiber optic and the rest is history.
Christmas is now enjoyed by all.
When I remember Duffer’s first Christmas and his insistence to find his place among the inviting branches, I think of how God woos us, relentless in His pursuit for our Love. So much so, He sent his only Son to show us the way to Him.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.Authors Note: Since this writing, Duffer has since passed on. But he still leaves a huge imprint in our hearts.
___________________________________
Winner of the 2012 Selah Award for best first novel The Other Side of Darkness/Harbourlight,
LINDA WOOD RONDEAU, writes stories of God’s mercies. Walk with her
unforgettable characters as they journey paths not unlike our own. After
a long career in human services, Linda now resides in Jacksonville,
Florida.
Linda’s best-selling Adirondack Romance, It Really IS a Wonderful Life, is published by Lighthouse of the Carolinas and is available wherever books are sold. Her next releases were her devotional book, I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children and Days of Vines and Roses.
Joy Comes to Dinsmore Street and A Christmas Prayer have been released in time for the Christmas Season. Songs in the Valley/ Helping Hands Press. Will be released in late 2013 or early 2014.
Readers may visit her web site at www.lindarondeau.com or email her at lindarondeau@gmail.com or find her on Facebook, Twitter, PInterest, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Goodreads.
I love writing little notes and have an affinity for vintage...well, anything! Today's giveaway features a festive red doily and a fun Christmas-tree decorated note pad both with a vintage feel - perfect for leaving notes for friends or loved ones.
**Giveaway rules: To enter, comment on each the post (or posts) in the
month of December that offer giveaway items you wish to win. One entry
per person per giveaway item is permitted. All winners will be drawn in
January (after the holiday craziness) and will be notified shortly
thereafter.
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