Maybe it’s just because I’ve seen it so many times, or because I was still feeling flu-ish upon the first viewing of this holiday season, but I’m struck suddenly this year with a comparison I can’t shake — un-P.C. though it might be.

Sophie is “Elf”. My own little elf. She embodies the spirit of Buddy in so many ways, mostly good and yes, a few bad, at least in terms of navigating this mad, mad world of ours. She’s loving, caring, industrious in her way. And yes, infuriating sometimes, when the world doesn’t fit her often quirky agenda. (No, not a good idea to bring a digital camera, stuffed piglet and several very long paintbushes to school! At least I made her leave the camera behind.)

I am tempted to do some Googling — I wonder if Buddy (consider the name) was created, in part, with someone with Down syndrome in mind. Probably not, just like I was never able to prove that Dopey the dwarf has DS. Maybe I’ll just leave well enough alone, and be glad Sophie’s not good enough with the scissors (yet) to cover the house in paper snowflakes.

But that might be nice, too.