I have a day off today from both jobs. My daughter is home, presents are all wrapped and the cooking has begun.
Last night I felt a little elfie. You see, at my seasonal job, they have had these little Christmas accessories for us to wear all month. My job is picking orders and getting them prepared for store pick ups. Often I would have to run them out to a car on curbside. They wanted us to look festive I guess.
But not me, no no.
I snarled my nose up at the lighted necklaces, antler head bands and paper elf hats. I just was not going there! Nope.
Well last night while I was darting around the store grabbing items for those last minute shoppers, I got in the mood to put on one of the elf hats. “Ok, I’ll do it”. And just like that, I became a jingly elf. I had fun passing children as I was working. Some would be acting up in the store and when they saw me, they would straighten up and their little eyes would just stare at me until I disappeared. Some kids would run and hide. I would just wave and point as I walked by. I had fun. Now I know what Santa must feel like.
I began to think about those little kids. I could have been their only little Christmas hope they had.
To me it was just a stupid little paper hat with bells on it.
To them, I was an elf. I was one of Santas helpers.
I was running my legs off, my feet hurt and I was tired from working my day job then coming here to work at nights.
But if it wasn’t for me and others doing this task, some one would not have their present under the tree in time. I carried around a handheld device that would let me know when an order was placed and what to grab. (Aka Santas list).
Sometimes I would have to reject orders when there was no inventory to be found. Even though they ordered online as it was in stock, an inside shopper could buy it off the shelf before I could fill the order. Every time this happened I would feel sad. They would get an email letting them know it was not in stock. I just hope they had a plan B in these cases.
Now it’s time for me to relax. I have a big day ahead of me. I have some cookies to make. I will also be making sausage balls, grape salad and broccoli salad for tomorrow. I need to get my nails painted and my house cleaned.
Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas.
