The Blue Whale and the Baby.
Merry Christmas y’all. Just got back from church and I need to finish some wrapping but there is one thing I’ve wanted to share with you all month.
The worshiping blue whale.
What? You’ve never heard of a whale at the Nativity?
Never witnessed a 150 ton marine mammal bowing before the creche?
See. I told you.
Alright. No one knows this little secret but me.
My office opens onto the Christmas tree. Every time I walk out the double doors, to get a snack or to walk the dog or to fold some laundry, I walk by our tree. And a few weeks ago I noticed the whale.
I noticed the whale noticing the baby.
All five of you who were in Brownies with me might remember making this ornament. A tuna fish can spray-painted gold. A Mary and baby Jesus glued in the bottom, surrounded by heavenly angel hair.
The seven-year-old me thought it was magic. I still do.
The blue whale ornament is new to the Community of the Tree. I bought him a month ago when I spied him on a tree in some large store. You see, I have a soft spot for whales.
They are huge. They really are quite strange looking. They spend all of their lives plowing through the deep waters. For something that could be so destructive — they seem kind. Inquisitive.
That blue whale got what this crazy month of December’s lights, glitter and exhaustion is all about.
A golden baby in a tuna fish can.
Something the black labs in Santa hats,
Michael Vick — minus a hand and a football after a few rough years on the tree — didn’t seem to notice either.
Bella and Edward in Twilight La La Land only have eyes for each other.
Darth Vader is a poser.
At first, I was sure Vader had his back turned on the whole Christ child scene but on second thought, maybe he’s guarding the tuna fish stable?
Who’s to know what lies deep within the heart of any ornament?
All’s I know is the blue whale is not gonna miss a thing where the baby is concerned.
I don’t know how he got there, but I’ve enjoyed him all December.
Merry Christmas to all creatures great and small.
