Every Christmas, the mantel in Scott and Greg's house is miraculously decorated while they are at work and school.
Every year, it looks the same. Santa of the Forest, cross-stitched for Greg by his Grammy when he was a little boy, takes pride of place with white twinkle lights and fresh evergreen boughs beneath.
Every year, little antique elves nestle among the lights and greenery. These elves are very special. Carl's mother loved elves and these are the elves she bought and treasured. They are not special because they are fancy and ornate. They are special because they belonged to Mary Alice Ulbrich Atkins and we are reminded of her when they take their places on the mantel every year.
It was a huge surprise a few weeks ago to find a picture of our head elf on the front page of the AJC Homefinder section accompanied by a headline that read "Vintage and Modern Trend in Designer's Decorations." It seems that one of Mary Alice's elves was patterned after a character in an obscure children's book – something we never knew.
A disaster occurred last week. The elves were missing. They were not in the drawer where they are placed every year. They were not among any of the decorations stored in the attic. They were not with the wrapping paper and ribbon. They were not with the spare bulbs or candles for the windows. They were nowhere to be found although Carl remembered bringing them home in a brown paper bag. The mantel was not going to be the same this year and it just didn't feel right.
When finally told the elves were M.I.A., Scott remembered putting them in a brown bag from Ingles and either giving them to Carl or bringing them back himself but, before heading out to do a little shopping, he decided to take one last look. Lo and behold, he found not only the elves but also the Christmas pickle. Christmas is going to be just fine for the Atkins Boys this year in spite of the fact that the two older ones seem to have faulty memories. And Merry Christmas to you, Mary Alice. Your elves are back where they belong.
Every year, it looks the same. Santa of the Forest, cross-stitched for Greg by his Grammy when he was a little boy, takes pride of place with white twinkle lights and fresh evergreen boughs beneath.
Every year, little antique elves nestle among the lights and greenery. These elves are very special. Carl's mother loved elves and these are the elves she bought and treasured. They are not special because they are fancy and ornate. They are special because they belonged to Mary Alice Ulbrich Atkins and we are reminded of her when they take their places on the mantel every year.
It was a huge surprise a few weeks ago to find a picture of our head elf on the front page of the AJC Homefinder section accompanied by a headline that read "Vintage and Modern Trend in Designer's Decorations." It seems that one of Mary Alice's elves was patterned after a character in an obscure children's book – something we never knew.
A disaster occurred last week. The elves were missing. They were not in the drawer where they are placed every year. They were not among any of the decorations stored in the attic. They were not with the wrapping paper and ribbon. They were not with the spare bulbs or candles for the windows. They were nowhere to be found although Carl remembered bringing them home in a brown paper bag. The mantel was not going to be the same this year and it just didn't feel right.
When finally told the elves were M.I.A., Scott remembered putting them in a brown bag from Ingles and either giving them to Carl or bringing them back himself but, before heading out to do a little shopping, he decided to take one last look. Lo and behold, he found not only the elves but also the Christmas pickle. Christmas is going to be just fine for the Atkins Boys this year in spite of the fact that the two older ones seem to have faulty memories. And Merry Christmas to you, Mary Alice. Your elves are back where they belong.
