Goodbye Sweet Annoying Princess

In Which We Somewhat Reluctantly Bid Farewell to Tutu (Day 55)

Before bed, my daughter gives Tutu the Christmas Elf a big hug.

“Goodbye Tutu,” she says.

She places the elf in the winding coil of a soft stuffed snake, along with several drawings she made for the elf. She also slips a plastic spider ring on the elf’s arm and tucks a small package of chocolates near by, “for the road.”

I know, I know. Surveillance state! Bad capitalism! Inappropriate modern ritual creation! I’ve heard it all.

Tutu is a pain, yes. I’ve spend 30 straight days playing the role of my daughter’s once a year Elf on a Shelf friend, constantly moving, coming up with new scenarios, staying up late to make sure she doesn’t catch me. I’m tired.

But we never played this game out of fear or out of worry. Tutu is treated like a little sister, or a magical friend. Like a fairy, a woodland creature, a pal of Santa, a funny mystery. And I feel like maybe having a magical friend is ok, maybe we all need magical friends.

My wife, who is much smarter than I am, says that Little Bean will believe as long as we believe. There’s something to that.

And so after the ladies are tucked into bed and the house is finally quiet, and the lights are out for the day, I sit down and begin to write:

My dearest Uma,

I can’t begin to describe what a wonderful month I’ve had with you! You’ve grown so much in the last year, and are so funny and smart. And I love your hair cut! I love that you love your hair cut as well, do you know why? Because you’re you. You’re the best and only you.

I’m really sorry that I ate your ginger bread house, I thought it tasted sooo good! I’m leaving you a biiiig candy bar. Please please don’t eat it all at once and get sick like I did.

I want you to know how amazing it’s been and how proud I am to be your elf. I can’t believe how lucky I got to be able to be part of your family, even for a little bit each year. You’re going to do just fine.

Go after the things you love, get good at them. No, be the best at them! That includes school and loving your family. You can do anything, you really can. Your heart is so big, you wouldn’t believe how big it is! I’ve seen it when you’re generous with your friends or how hard you laugh sometimes, or that you’ll try any food and you’re getting so good at drawing! Work on your math though, ok? Your Daddy is really bad at that and can’t help you much.

Anyway, I love you so much that it feels like I’m going to burst. Remember all the fun we had and think about all the fun we will have next year. And every so often, look up into the sky and maybe if you keep believing, you’ll see me because you are just as magical, just as much of a miracle, as I am. Bye bye sweetheart, stay beautiful inside and out!

Tutu

I don’t know if Tutu will be back next year. Little Bean is right on the edge now, she wants to believe, but the world keeps chipping away at the magic and I don’t know how much longer I can hold it off.

In the end, she’s the magic now. But of course, she always was and always will be…

---

Housekeeping: My friends, we’re in the thin, strange place between Christmas and New Year and I hope you’re all in a good - magical - place. We’re working hard to boost our membership here at Day By Day and hoping to get 15 more subscribers before year’s end. Can you help us reach our goal by sharing or recommending our little community to your own friends?

You can share any individual story which is great, but you an also share a general link which is this one, Day By Day general link

Meantime, we’ll continue with these daily doses and ride on into 2024. Be kind all, and ever onward!