Peace on Earth & Good Will To Each of You
On this, the eve of one of the holiest days of the year amidst one of the most consequential years in history, allow me to wish you and your loved ones the gifts of health, safety, and happiness.
In the spirit of the holiday I am pleased to also share another gift in the form of a post from my dear friend Dick Jacobs and his lovely bride Joan, as well as Pete the Polar Bear.
Pondering Pete Polar Bear
T’was the Night Before Christmas; Santa was not amused. His reindeers’ runway, once ice, was all puddles; it could no longer be used.
The North Pole’s ice was melting – it could not be a worst plight. Santa’s workshop that topped it sank fast, then clear out of sight.
Santa’s elves saw it coming, worked night and day – Christmas toys now stacked on an iceberg in Santa’s old sleigh.
Santa was thankful but his problem’s quite clear. How does he take off with eight tiny reindeer?
For the reindeer need a runway to speed to the sky. Trapped on a tiny iceberg, how could they fly?
Pete Polar Bear saw it all and knew it was bad. But it’s the time for solutions, not to mope or be sad.
Pete had a strong heart, a big brain in his head. His mission was simple: launch Santa, launch Santa’s sled.
Pete was tough, a good swimmer for sure. He jumped in the bay; he knew he’d endure.
Rudolph’s smile was big, his nose a bright red, guiding Pete to the iceberg and Santa’s trapped sled.
Santa threw Pete a line, both held on tight. Pete turned to the wind and swam with all of his might.
The iceberg stuttered but soon picked up speed. In the face of the breeze, Santa muttered, he had the lift he would need.
So Santa shouted and called them by name:
“Now Dasher!
Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On Comet!
On Cupid!
On Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the ice!
To the top of the ice wall!
Now dash away!
Dash Away!
Dash away all!!!”
Pete took a deep breath, the iceberg floating by. He climbed its steep banks, his eyes to the sky.
Santa’s sleigh’s in full flight, a sight to behold. But Pete pondered, would Christmas always be ice-cold?
For if not, we all have to worry. Not only about Santa or Pete or all who are furry.
We’re in this together, Pete, you and me. We take care of each other or we sink in the sea.
Yes, some understand, yes, some really care. Like our young, championed by Our Children’s Trust, whose mission we share.
But Santa’s plight tells us that among us old, the care’s still too rare, it’s not centerfold.
So, our New Year’s mission is clear: it’s about Santa’s plight, it’s about caring for our Earth so we don’t sink out of sight.
That’s a mission we can no longer ignore, though we’ve been shortsighted, we’ve ignored it before.
In 2021, let’s pitch in, let’s care for our Earth and all that is dear.
Let’s be thankful for Pete, for each other, and be of good cheer!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
From
Pondering Pete Polar Bear &
Joan and Dick Jacobs
To learn more about Dick, his work, and his global travels, please visit The Global Naturalist.
Peace on Earth and a Happy Holidays to all.