Christmas in New York City. A person truly has to be The Grinch to not feel the magic that happens in NYC at Christmas.
Deep in Central Park, at the start of every December, elves return to decorate a secret tree with images and momentos from park goers who want to remember their now gone pets. The tree's location will remain a secret only to avoid too much publicity ruining this lovely tradition for loyal Central Park visitors.
While Central Park does not officially decorate any trees, an exception is made for this lovely little tree. Someone in the Conservancy must have a soft spot for cats and dogs (and all creatures great and small). Or maybe they just have the Christmas spirit?
In December, while walking the client-dogs in the park, we visit the tree daily. Each year, the elves remove the ornaments, mainly photographs in plastic and tied on with ribbon or string, and each year they magically reappear on the tree. Several of my own cats and dogs have returned to this tree for a number of years.
Sometimes when I visit the tree, seeing the face of my dear little Chynna Doll, or, my first keeper cat Sissy, the little clown Lefty, and thinking about the ones I have yet to add, those I lost recently, it makes me cry. It also makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, to remember my little ones at Christmas, in a somewhat private but also public way.
It is a sweet memorial and a lovely tradition we hope continues for years and years.
Off now to make new ornaments to celebrate Gilbert, and Copper, and Fanny, and Raindrop.
Merry Christmas my dear ones!
Comments
GOD BLESS NEW YORK!! Although there are some people who may hate or make fun of my beloved city -- I KNOW BETTER. As a kid growing up in NYCity and the Bronx-- I was always surrounded by people with good hearts, and many of them had pets whom they loved dearly. The whole WORLD should have this same type of "attitoood"!!!
Pee Wee, Puddy, Mew Mew, Meow Meow and Buttons-- all Bronx kitties of my childhood -- I love you forever and remember you always.
PS -- I don't live in NYCity any more and trust me, my present abode has too many rude people in it -- mabe it's time for me to move back!!!!
What a wonderful story, Aunt Christine!!!!!
What a charming piece of heaven right in the midst of NYC! Thank you for bringing this little known fact to the public's attention.
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