Christmas Traditions, Write Edit Publish blog hop

Hello everyone. Merry Christmas, Happy all other Holidays. I can't remember them all so I'll say Happy to all and hope you don't mind.

I am posting this flash fiction piece for Write...Edit...Publish early because I've had so many computer issues I'm afraid to wait. I'm on the old, old computer which is slow, slow. I had to buy a new mouse yesterday and I may have to buy a new keyboard. I absolutely need to buy a new computer but I'm not sure when that will happen. Enough said.

Here is a true story from my childhood. We are supposed to post this on the 18th so I will remind all of you to come back and go the link so you can enjoy everyone's post. It's not too late to write your own story, poem or show pictures etc.

Christmas Elf

The distinct smell of turkey floated through the entire house. Soon our relatives would arrive. Dad made Hot Toddies while mom worked to create our traditional Thanksgiving meal. My brother and sister watched Massy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I entered the kitchen and saw my mother pull the turkey from the oven and base it. She'd started the meal early, before the rest of us got up. I volunteered to help. Now looking back I must have gotten in the way since I was only five. Mother was never cross though, she gave me a small project.

I turned and looked up and there in his bright red outfit was the Christmas elf. He sat above the door on the wood that hugged the frame. Our Christmas elf moved mysteriously, from one door to the other, watching us to be sure we were good before Christmas and sent a report back to Santa. It never occurred to me to wonder why my friends didn't have a Christmas elf, I just thought we were lucky.

The mysterious movement of the elf created a reason for the three of us, my brother, sister and myself to scurry over the entire house looking for him. I would stand below the door for hours talking to the elf and waiting to see him move. On Christmas Eve he ended the vigil by perching in the tree. On Christmas day he was always gone for the year because he left with Santa.

One summer my mother was looking through her junk box for something, I don't remember what it was. I was sitting next to her. There in the box was the Christmas elf. I grabbed him and declare. "The elf!" Quick as a wink, my mother swooped the elf from my hand and said. "He flew out the window." Naive and trusting I ran to the window but the elf was gone.

Now as I remember my childhood, I think the Christmas elf was my favorite thing.

"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night." quote from The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore.

Nancy

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