Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve! We're going to start with a poem. After all, it's time for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge.

Our poetic host always shares a photo prompt to help guide us. This week's prompt is this festive one here:

This image reminded me of when I was a kid, when I would want to stay up and try to catch Santa Claus coming into our house. I would try to stay awake on Christmas Eve night, with my kitty angels Rosie and Sammy by my side. I never did succeed at catching Santa Claus, so I thought I'd write a poem with a different ending than my childhood stories.

Old St. Nick

'Twas the night before Christmas,
As if anyone could really miss this.
Not one creature in the house did stir.
Well, except for two cats and their little girl.

Santa Claus was coming to town,
A fact that brought to the girl's face the opposite of a frown.
She and her cats snuck down the stairs,
With fluffy tails and a hearty case of bed hair.

The girl's parents told her that old St. Nick would not come if she stayed awake,
But she intended to be as quiet and sneaky as a slithering snake.
Her cats ran down the stairs on feet as light as feathers,
While the girl tiptoed to prevent her descent from sounding like inclement weather.

As if right on cue, a soft thud sounded overhead.
Was that Santa and his reindeer and their magical sled?
The girl and her feline friends ran past the tree and fireplace, lickity split.
They crouched behind a cozy chair that was everyone's favorite place to sit.

The cats purred and mewed and frolicked to and fro.
"Hush," the girl said. "We don't want Santa to hear us and go.
Don't you want gifts and new toys and treats?
If Santa knows we're spying, he might retreat."

Just like that, the cats sat still and silent.
If they could, the girl knew they'd be smiling.
A shocked expression then took the place of the grinning,
After all, a sound had just come from the chimney.

There was a shuffling and puffing and mumbling.
Then it sound like someone landed on the floor and went tumbling.
A groan and a sigh could then be heard.
A jolly old voice said, "Ho ho ho! That hurt!"

A peek revealed to the girl and her cats that Santa was indeed inside the house.
They ducked back behind the chair, quiet as the quietest mouse.
The girl had been waiting and hoping to catch sight of the big man in red,
And now that he was here, all sorts of fears and doubts ran through her head.

Will Santa catch us sneaking? she thought to herself.
Will he take our presents away and give them back to his elves?
She bit her lip and began to fret.
Will I be on the naughty list forever and again?

Santa seemed to have finished emptying presents from his big red bag.
Then he said, "Am I going to get to say hello to a little girl and her cats?
I believe they're keeping me company in here, after all.
Come on out and say hello to this old man named Santa Claus."

Slowly stepping out from the behind the chair,
The girl was afraid to meet Santa's stare.
"I'm sorry, Santa, I really am!" she did say.
"I've always wanted to see you, and I couldn't keep away."

The girl's cats were far less scared.
Prancing up to Santa and rubbing his legs was something they apparently dared.
Santa reached down and gave them each a scratch on their head.
"You two just so happen to be on my good list," he said.

Blurting out her fear, the girl said, "Santa, are you going take our presents away?"
He laughed and replied, "I'd rather not lug all this back to my sleigh.
You've been two good cats and a good girl, in truth,
Though you are a bit curious, and quite sneaky, too."

"So we're not in trouble?" the little girl asked.
"On Christmas? Most certainly not!" Santa said to her and the cats.
The big man in red grabbed up his sack still full of gifts for the world.
"Merry Christmas!" he then said to the cats and their little girl.

Up the chimney Santa disappeared in a flash.
There was much excitement between the girl and her cats.
They watched out the window as Santa took off in his sleigh,
All while Christmas Eve turned into Christmas Day.

As if he knew they were watching him disappear into the sky,
Santa turned and waved at them with a sparkle in his eye.
The little girl and her cats waved back as Santa took his flight,
And he called out, "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

***

And now, on this Christmas Eve, it's time for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble is of course here to give some gratitude, and today, she is still beyond grateful for her beloved Christmas tree.

She still can't figure out how to climb it, despite her best efforts, but she still loves it.

Thimble and all of us here wish you a merry Christmas Eve!

***

We are still going to have the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge this week, for anyone who would like to participate tomorrow, or the days after. We'll share the fill-in statements now. Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the last two.

1. The best gift I have ever given is _________.

2. Last night, I _________.

3. _________ brings me joy today.

4. My favorite holiday memory is _________.

***

Tip of the Day

We recently mentioned some ways to make Christmas special for both your own furbabies and those in shelters. Today, we want to remind you to remember those furbabies who are outdoors and in your neighborhood. Do you have stray or feral cats in your area? If so, for Christmas, or any day possible, try to give them any extra help you can. During this holiday season, or all year round, try to give strays and ferals extra food, treats, or even a toy. If possible, also try to offer them shelter in some way, even if it's something makeshift. This is something that can greatly benefit them during a cold and snowy winter. We'll soon be sharing some repeat yet also significant tips on offering assistance to outdoor strays and ferals, but for now we'll offer this simple reminder to remember outdoor furbabies during this holiday season.

Since we're talking about outdoor animals, perhaps also don't forget the squirrels and birds! For Christmas, you could throw some extra food out for wildlife, to allow them an extra festive day as well. Some places even make or sell especially festive suet cakes and other goodies for outdoor critters this time of year.

So, this Christmas season, don't forget to think outside of your own home and family. Of course Christmas is a time for family, but it's also a time to remember how lucky we are, and how others may not be so lucky. So, spread the love this Christmas season!