A Christmas Wish

When I was little, setting up the Christmas manger was even more fun than setting up the tree. I was not a big fan of the people except for the Three Wish Men because they brought the camels! It was all the animals that surrounded the little stable that I enjoyed so much. An ox and cow, sheep, a horse, chickens, a duck and a goose all joined the camels around Baby Jesus. Legend has it that the faithful animals were given the power of speech for one hour at midnight on Christmas morning. What did they say about us this year?

Did they talk about how poorly we are doing in protecting the planet we all share? Did they talk about the millions of pets who are abandoned each year, or those factory farm animals that live their lives in terrible conditions? Hopefully, the birds spoke up for the folks that provide feeders and nest boxes and the shelter animals for the people who care for and support them. Perhaps Easton's animals talked about all the land we have chosen to share with them including the beautiful Governor Ames Estate that have bird's nests, fox runs, and chipmunk holes instead of McMansions.

In these terrible days of planet degradation, animals need a voice for more than an hour a year and only we can be that voice. My Christmas wish is that many of us put aside our human desires and speak for our animal friends. Feed the birds and don't begrudge the squirrels. Talk about the wildlife you see on daily walks. Support national and regional environmental groups like the Trustees of Reservations, and groups that provide quality animal care like the Blue Dog Shelter, the Animal Protection Center in Brockton, or Winslow Farm in Norton. Politically, we should speak up constantly that something must be done about climate change. Here in Easton we can speak out in the new master plan creation process to remind our development minded friends that we share the land with animals and plants that have a right to flourish as well. Merry Christmas!