For just shy of 30 years, the magic of Mr. Little Guy has lined the shores of Lake Harriet and warmed the hearts of the thousands who have been touched by his existence. You may have noticed the tiny little door, at the base of a tree, on the south side of the lake, etched with brass hinges, a lion door knocker, and adorned with gifts and trinkets from those who admire and love him. Although no one has laid eyes on Mr. Little Guy, also known as Thom the Elf, he has become a prominent symbol of magic, hope, and love to all who know him.
Mr. Little Guy has made Lake Harriet his home for 29 years, and if you haven't checked out his summer home, you should put it on your to-do list! His residence is also home to thousands of letters that people drop off for him, never going without a reply. The letters range from fun letters from kids asking questions about life, to adults expressing their deepest concerns, sorrows, wishes, and gratitude. Mr. Little Guy always writes back and always signs his notes, "I believe in you," delivering a message of hope to all.
We don't know a ton about this fine fellow, but here is what we have discovered! His favorite color is plaid. He is shorter than his older brother and taller than his younger. His wife’s name is Martha and their daughter is Alta Lucia. The elf eats minnow cake and pizza and loves baking chocolate chip cookies. He cooks on a grill made from a walnut shell. He gets a lot of his jokes from ladybugs. His bicycle is the size of a mushroom. His bedroom is wallpapered with notes written by “big people.”
This place has been such a source of magic throughout my lifetime, first experiencing the magic with my dad many times on our bike rides and roller-blading adventures around the lake as a child. Later in life, I took the children I nannied here and was able to experience the fun through their eyes. Now, I am able to again experience the magic of this place in a whole new way with my own kids. In my next letter to Mr. Little Guy, I will be expressing immense gratitude for the impact that he has made on my life and how he has made me understand the importance of always keeping magic alive.
