Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas elves

(This is a reprint from 2009. I figured I have different readers today and thought you might enjoy it as a Christmas present in 2012 from me to you.)

One year when I was home visiting my parents and siblings for the holidays, my sister Norma Jean and I went to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I think I had been married for some time and away from home for awhile, but I really don't remember when it was for sure. My parents had two distinct families, and the youngest three were all six or under at this time, while Norma Jean and I were adults.

When we went out the door, Mama and Daddy had begun the Christmas Eve preparations for the young ones in the house (my brother and sisters) who had finally gone to bed. They had begun to assemble a bicycle for our brother Buz and had to finish wrapping and putting Santa's gifts under the tree. It was a warm and happy scene. Off we went to Midnight Mass.

When we returned, the scene was anything but happy. The entire living room was scattered with glasses half-covered in salt (from partially consumed margaritas), and the bike was still only half assembled in the living room. The entire scene was, in a word, a nightmare. And our parents had stumbled into their bedroom and crawled into bed. Apparently in the midst of their tasks, some friends had come over to visit and our parents had gotten quite drunk and forgotten what tonight meant to their young children.

We were aghast. For a few minutes we wandered through the living room and kitchen and wondered what to do. We decided that we would be Christmas elves and fix things. Norma Jean set to the task of reading directions on how to assemble the bicycle, and I began to clean things up: we toiled for several hours before we inspected our work and called it good. Norma Jean had learned how to follow arcane directions and actually put the bike together! (I was more impressed by this than I let on at the time.)

Well, in the morning the kids came downstairs to find that Santa had indeed come during the night, and that his elves had done their work quite well. It is one of the more satisfying Christmas memories that I share with my sister. We still smile about it. I had to write to Norma Jean to see if my memory of the event matched hers, and it pretty much did. She said,
Maybe that's where I got the start of loving the feeling of accomplishment when I read directions and put things together. . . . We cleaned up and set up the living room to be a real Christmas when everyone got up the next morning. It was certainly memorable.
Over the years, Christmas has lost much of its magic for me. I don't like what I see happening to Christmas these days, but I am sure that there are still many parents, and Santas, and elves, making things happen for others.
:-)

26 comments:


  1. What a wonderful story and great memory to share. Merry Christmas!

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  2. smiles..if only we had more eleves to do good deeds like you christmas would not be what it has become....thanks for the tale...i hope you do have a magical christmas

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  3. That's a sweet story...

    I thought perhaps the punchline would be that your parents were surprised that they didn't remember doing all that work!

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  4. Yes nice story, but sadly I agree with your last paragraph. We are haveing a nice visit for the holiday with our grandchildren in sunny Florda but the excess of rampant materialism and ourdoing the neighbors is sad indeed... Later this week back to frozen Minnesota...:)

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  5. What a wonderful sisterly thing to do. Christmas is so full of magic for the young it would have been such a pity to let them down.

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  6. i sure hope your parents were grateful you two came to their rescue! :)

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  7. Merry Christmas! You were a good Elf..good thing Norma Jean reads directions! :)

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  8. What a wonderful memory and story you shared with us today. I agree, 100%DJan - the elves here at our home never stop all year round and that makes the world a brighter place for us and everyone around us. Good to know Elves were afoot those many years ago in the spirit of you and your Sis. Ain't life grande! "LIL" Elf :)

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  9. That's sweet.

    Remember, an elf is a subordinate Claus!

    Hope have a wonderful 2013.

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  10. Good that you posted this because I wasn't following you back then.
    Christmas is always good for a few surprises. We become a little jaded when we age.
    I hope you've had a good day today.

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  11. This is a very touching story. Maybe it's because right now I am exhausted, but it brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your memory.

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  12. Oh my gracious! What a story! You were wonderful elves.

    My son is a bit of a cynic, but does enjoy the memories of our Christmases.

    He sent this youtube video to us.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCNvZqpa-7Q

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  13. DJan,

    I love everything about Christmas,(even the busy shopping malls) but I especially love stories like this that remind us all that Christmas is best when it is shared from loving hearts.

    Merry Christmas and may your wonderful memories always be vivid!

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  14. My god, what a nightmare seeing the debris from that party. As a child, I would have been very upset. But there you were with your mature sister and set things right. What a great story, DJan!

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  15. What a great story, DJan. I hope this Christmas was at least as magical for you. Big hugs to you. :)

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  16. What a wonderful story DJan! You guys were great Elves!

    Do you remember your parents' reaction the next morning? ;o)

    Christmas has been wonderful here, and it's not over yet! :D

    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! HUGS!!! :o)

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  17. DJan, I believe in Christmas magic and especially in Elves (all forms)! We try very hard to keep love and magic in our lives, especially at Christmas. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. What a beautiful story, DJan!

    I feel the magic of Christmas has been lost for me too over the years. It's all so materialistic nowadays. I guess you could say we enjoy a pauper's Christmas each year but we're happy spending time with family and that's what really counts, I think.

    Wishing you a very Happy New Year! xx

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  19. I want to hug you and Norma Jean right now... !! What a beautiful post, Jan. I can't tell you how much this touched me....
    Love,
    Jackie

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  20. It's a good thing the elves showed up to finish the work. I hope your parents were grateful for the good deed.
    I do agree with you on Christmas, it has become so commercial that it has taken a lot of the joy out of the day. I like to think that at least some children still have the spirit and don't get caught up in the greed.

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  21. What a brilliant story. And I am so grateful that you and Norma Jean put on your elves head-gear. Thank you.

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  22. Th world needs more good elves!

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  23. That was an act of pure kindness D-Jan (smile). You have some wonderful memories of life with your siblings.

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  24. I'm glad you were there to make sure Christmas happened for the younger siblings! And that your sister was able to put the bike together--LOL! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas this year. :)

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  25. It's good to know there really are Christmas elves out there. I always suspected that to be the case.

    Also, wanted to come by and say THANK YOU for being one of my top commenters during 2012. I appreciate hearing from you as well as reading your posts. Happy New Year.

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