For so many years, one of the highlights of our family's Christmas season was the return of Cooper the Elf, named by Joe long ago after JP's friend, Cooper Allen. Always, Joe was so excited when Cooper returned on the first or second night of December, perched in our Christmas tree. Every morning leading up to Christmas, Joe scoured the house to see where Cooper had ended up after a night spent, presumably, wandering through the house and, maybe, other houses, too. Jude and I reveled in Joe's delight every morning when he found Cooper, tucked away in a clever hiding place.
In many ways, the arrival of Cooper the Elf signified that Christmas season was upon us. I love this time of year so much. As I've written here before, it's always hard to say goodbye to Cooper the Elf, when he leaves our house and flies back to the North Pole, usually with the boys' Christmas lists in hand.
For the past couple of years, things have been different. This year, for example, Joe noted Cooper the Elf's return but, really, that was about it. No more looking for Cooper in the morning before breakfast. No more laughing about the clever hiding place Cooper had found the night before. I understand, of course. Joe has school assignments, study sessions, and 7th grade exams to worry about, which doesn't leave a lot of head space for Cooper the Elf.
Still, I miss those days terribly. That's the hardest part of being a parent for me, I think. Constantly saying goodbye to so many things that I love and that have been such an important and joyful part of my life.
Walks in the neighborhood with one of the boys sleeping in the City Elite stroller before 12South became 12South. Singing the Uncle Carley song to Carley when she arrived, much to Joe's delight, in the morning to stay with him for the day. Dropping JP and, later, Joe, off at Children's House. Watching Sid the Science Kid with JP and Daniel Tiger with Joe. "Joe time" in the mornings before school at Children's House, which often involved playing football in the atrium at the Curb Center. Coaching baseball. Playing Battleship with Joe at Frothy Monkey or Burger Up. Driving JP to MBA. Going for a run with JP.
All of it. I loved every single minute of in, including and especially Cooper the Elf's arrival every Christmas season and his presence as the boys counted down the days to Christmas.
I find myself, this morning, thinking of the lyrics from "Puff the Magic Dragon," by Peter, Paul & Mary. My sister, Tracy, used to cry when my mom played the song (probably on 8 track if not vinyl).
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant's rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
His head bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff, the mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave
For this Christmas season, at least, I'll enjoy seeing where Cooper the Elf ends up each morning. More importantly, I'll also enjoy having both of my boys, together, with Jude and me, in the house as JP's high school career winds down and he prepares to leave for college in 18 months.
Welcome home, Cooper.
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