Yes, I know it's August and seems like it's too early to be writing about Elf on the Shelf. However, our elves hang out with us year 'round so anytime is okay. In truth, I should have written about this sooner. It has taken some time to realize this update, though. Plus, Instagram has ruined me for Tumblr and there's that thing where Tumblr crashes a lot and I lose what I've written. ☹☹
A warning that this story may be too sensitive for some as there is an element of heartache, if not heartbreak.
As a reminder, at my workplace, we have two plush elves on the shelf. Throughout the year, they live in a cozy little home that I built and is located in a tucked away area on a hall shelf behind the cubicle of my work colleague whom I'll refer to as 'C.' (... because her name begins with 'C' ... 😊)
C also has a soft spot for the elves and she cared for and named Smiley while I cared for and named Cheerie during the holiday season where we hosted the Elf on the Shelf game. This was in 2016 and was when I decided to build their home, a project that would spill into the greater portion of January, 2017.
Last year, we didn't do the game, but the elves joined in the fun at our various holiday events and just enjoyed being themselves as it were. I wrote about them and posted at the time. Then, after the new year, we felt it was time for them to take a well deserved nap after all the excitement of the holidays. They were tucked in bed and the thought was to waken them around April. You can't just be an elf for two months of the year and be ready for the holidays. There are months of preparation the details of which neither you nor I may know about.
This isn't from the last time I saw them but it's similar. They were in bed with their plush toys, Cheerie in the top bunk with his rabbit and Smiley in the bottom bunk with his bear.
April came and went and I simply lost track of the days. I had suggested that a work colleague take his children up to see the house at "Bring Your Child to Work Day," which they did and later would report that the elves had still been in bed. I actually had been by to look in on them sometime in March. I'm located on the fourth floor northeast end of the building while C is on the sixth floor southwest area so I don't get up there often. One day, in early May, one of my admins was saying "hello" and she asked about the boys. I noted that I had been meaning to get up there and wake them so I thanked her for the reminder and headed upstairs.
Tragedy! Smiley was missing! I did not photograph the scene but it was really sad. His bedding was all in disarray and his bear lay face down on the floor. He was gone. Cheerie was still in bed, undisturbed and seemingly unaware of what had happened.
So, that's all I know. I made some quiet inquiries but did not want to raise a commotion in the workplace. C knows, of course, and Smiley was her true friend so she feels bad. Some people are prone to speculation, but I don't know what to think. We know he was there at the end of the day on "Bring Your Child ... Day" but that's the last we saw of him.
I am reluctant to say someone stole him, though it's clear he was taken. My hope is that whoever spirited him away did so because they wanted him and will care for him. If that's the case, even though I'm sure he misses Cheerie, he will be glad to bring some cheer into their household. That's the best I can hope for.
Cheerie misses Smiley as well. He plays alone and without as much enthusiasm as in the past. If he knows anything about what has become of Smiley, he isn't saying. Elves do have their secrets and I feel it's best not to talk about it other than to remember the good times they shared and the joy they brought to those of us who knew them when they were together.
One thing Cheerie doesn't know is that I have a secret, too. He's about to be visited by a new companion, Charmie, and I have a feeling she's going to liven up their cozy little cottage!
