You been Elfed?
Yes, E-l-f-e-d.
Assuming this has nothing to do with a visit from Will Ferrell, c’mon, Jan, what do you mean by “elfed?“ Thanks for asking! Here’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
In December 2020, pre-vaccine, socially quarantined, people were feeling very un-holiday like. What holiday? Too many dark clouds over our heads. It was in this context that I stepped out onto my front porch and almost tripped over a wrapped package. The attached card said “From an elf.” Caught by surprise, delighted, my mind flipping through possible “elf friends” in my neighborhood, I suddenly felt so much lighter.
Didn’t want to embarrass myself (or others) by contacting individual neighbors and asking “are you the elf?” So, I did the next best thing - jumped on our neighborhood listserv, described my experience, and hoped my elf might come out of the closet. Well, damn, that’s not what happened. It was much better!
A couple of blocks away, another neighbor replied saying his family had also been “elfed.” THEN, another neighbor, and another neighbor (getting hot and heavy here) and another…..Well, you get the picture. As other neighbors responded on the listserv sharing their elf experiences, it was almost as if the lights on a darkened Christmas tree began lighting up, one by one. The pandemic darkness and uncertainty in our lives was suddenly in abeyance, and joy, curiosity, and light took over for a while.
Over the course of the next 5-6 days, “elfing”and being “elfed” became a daily occurrence on our listserv. I have good evidence (but will not blow anyone’s cover) that several copycat elves manifested in the neighborhood as well. The gifts were small and inexpensive, but their value to our spirits was priceless. And, being “elfed” has now become part of our neighborhood lexicon and history.
By the way, I do not believe there are seasonal limits on elfing. If your inner elf is calling, listen!
Feel free to share with others.
Neighbors are the best! It has been especially important this Covid time to feel embedded in community.We are seen and loved. Thank you, Jan, you'ved just elfed all of us!
Very touching story, Jan. Thanks for sharing it. Right now it feels like we’re overshadowed by a zillion dark clouds, doesn’t it? I could start to list them, but I expect you all know what I mean. We could each use a little elf-nudge, couldn’t we? With Easter a few weeks out, maybe a bunny-nudge or a chick-nudge would work as well. Give it a little thought . . . . Your neighbors might really appreciate it. Maybe a tiny package of jellybeans on a porch or two?