My Little Elf
It was drizzling outside, and all I could ponder was the thought of my husband coming home from a long hard day working in the wretched weather. Our plans for the evening, were to go look at Christmas lights that night with our kids and relish in the coming of the season. He finally arrived home after hours of driving. I was occupied with cooking supper so we could get going so I didn’t greet him at the door like I usually do. “Honey, your elf was here…” he said. “My elf?” I said, wondering what in the world he could possibly mean. “What’re you talking about,” I asked “Are you trying to pull some funny joke on me?” I had had a long hard day with our two young children aged 4 and 1, while trying to make sure every need, want, and desire was fulfilled, while also trying to get my homework done for the day. I was in dire need of a nap and not overly in the mood for jokes. “I’m dead serious, this was on the porch,” he said as I turned around giving him a look of pure annoyance. To my surprise, he was not joking at all. There hung a little red bag in his hand with a tag that read “To Shelby, Love your elf.” To this day I don’t know who dropped that sweet present on my doorstep. I poked my head in the bag to unveil a cute little teddy and matching pink shirts for my daughter and me. Who could’ve possibly done this? My dogs didn’t even bark nor did I hear or see anyone come onto our porch; how stealthy this little elf was! I started calling around to a few friends to see who the mysterious elf could’ve possibly been, but to no prevail did I ever find out who that kind hearted person was. It’s really incredible what a small act of kindness can do, to any individual really and it filled my heart with pure joy. I talked to my mother in law later that night, and she too had been gifted from an “elf.” Although I spoke with a known community member and she knew where hers came from. Months later, I still have not been able to figure out who the person was that thought of me, and it still brings my heart pure joy. Whoever it was, I deeply thank you and appreciate you taking the time out of your day to think of me and my girl. There is a great possibility that this said community member could know exactly who the mysterious elf was, although I know she would never spill the beans. Would any friend really spill if they had dropped it off? Probably not… so my thoughts are left to wander. Although I am so overly grateful my husband has continued to be able to work throughout these unprecedented times, it is no surprise that hours have been cut back immensely causing us to have financial hardships, struggling to make ends meet. In return though, I finally did what I had been saying I wanted to do for the longest time. I went to Tim Hortons one day for a coffee with a friend, and bought the persons order behind me. The person tried speeding up to me on the double lane on my way home and I quickly avoided them. I didn’t want them to know who I was! I did it because it felt like a nice thing to do for someone. I hope I brought that person a smile when I “paid it forward,” that day. Small acts of kindness are what we as people need in this crazy world. One act of kindness can change a whole person’s day and even sometimes their life!
