Mom the Elf!

Cathy the Elf!

My mom made things happen. She started a children's Christmas party at her office. She worked at the 4th Civil Engineering Squadron on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. She was more than a secretary, but simplicity's sake, she was a secretary for about 40 engineers. One year she decided to have a Christmas party on Saturday for everyone's kids. Basically they had a bunch of little games like pin the tail and guess how many M&Ms are in a jar. They had a bunch of snacks. And then Santa and his elf would show up with a big bag full of presents. Everyone would bring a present to work already wrapped for their kid. And then when Santa came out he had a gift with each kid's name on it (there was always some turd of a parent who would buy a $200 gift when Mom told everyone to do a $10 present... but whatcha gonna do?).

She never said so, but I think Mom was really proud of those Christmas parties. I know I was always happy to go help her with the party... even after my sad stint as the elf. I would just hang out and help keep the snacks filled, etc... even as an adult I'd go sometimes. I like to think some of those kids remember them, and maybe remember her as well.