A Richmond family just had a Christmas they will never forget – thanks to a special gift from an anonymous Steveston elf.
Richmondite Erica Macklin found a gift, signed by “your Steveston elf,” sitting on her doorstep several days before Christmas. She put the gift under the Christmas tree and planned to ask her nine-year-old son Charlie to open it on Christmas morning.
However, when Charlie unwrapped the gift, Macklin recognized it immediately. It was a small, blue guitar, chosen and bought by her husband Paul seven years ago when Charlie was just two.
As a musician, Paul had hoped to teach Charlie to play the guitar someday and experience the joy of music. But he never got the chance as he died in a workplace accident a month before Christmas in 2013.
Macklin said she couldn’t bear to look at the gift or give it to Charlie at that time, so she sold it on a Facebook bidding group.
But now the guitar has returned to them – along with a note.
“Dearest Charlie, you are growing up so fast and becoming such a sweet young man. The holiday elves couldn’t be prouder of you and your accomplishments. Santa Claus will be bringing your presents but for now here is an early one from your personal elves. We hope you will have fun with it experimenting and discovering the joy of music...You are off to an amazing start already as your father was a talented musician who played from the heart for family and friends,” the note reads.
“Your mama will recognize the guitar. We bought it for a purpose and kept it through the years waiting for you to grow up. It was always yours...Hugs from Your Steveston Elf.”
Having no idea who those Steveston elves are or that they had been keeping the guitar for six years with the sole purpose of returning it to a little boy, Macklin was tearing up.
“It touched my heart at such a deep level. The fact that someone would hold onto this special guitar for so many years shows such a depth of care and compassion and love,” said Macklin, who later shared her story on the Community of Richmond Facebook group to express her appreciation for the unknown “Steveston elf.”
Her post has attracted hundreds of clicks, with more than 100 comments saying how beautiful this Christmas story is and how deeply it touched them.
“When I posted to say thank you to them on the Facebook group, I had no idea that it was going to touch so many people, or spread as far as it has. I am just so grateful that I was able to give the Steveston elf recognition for their kind act,” added Macklin.
Macklin said she still doesn’t know who the giver is, and wouldn’t identify them even if she did. But she does want the person to know that it is people like them who inspire her to do whatever she can to care for others in Richmond’s community.
“I am incredibly grateful to our Steveston elf and hope that they know how special they are and how much they’ve made a difference, not only in our lives, but in the lives of so many others. Thank you for the most special gift that we will always remember,” said Macklin.
