Tuesday, November 10, 2009

My Love Affair....


with my teddy bear.


C'mon, ya'll! I know you were wondering, "What has she gotten herself into now?" But you know me better than that...my Boo is my numero uno love affair.

This guy comes pretty close to second though. I'd like to introduce to you Teddy Little Bear Franklin. He has been a part of my life since I was three years old. He has caught many, many tears, heard all of my embarrassing moments, even times when I wet the bed, he was there. He was there when I was afraid of the dark and found out that I had to wear glasses when my twin sister didn't. He want on vacation with me just about everywhere, except for Disneyland because my dad didn't want me to lose him while on one of the rides.

I humanized him while I was growing up. I knew that he "felt" things. Like the one time, boy cousins that we were visiting in Missouri sprayed bathroom cleaner on him. I cried and cried. "It would make him sick. He'll never smell the same." I hated those dumb boy cousins.

When TV Boo was 5 years old, I entrusted Teddy to her. She was afraid of the dark, terrified in fact. I told her how he had helped me through so many tough times in my life and now he was hers to help her through hers. One thing, I made her promise that she'd always take good care of him and not let anyone tear him up. Teddy went with her to summer camps, gymnastics meets, overnighters at her friends houses and even when she ate, Teddy was there, while she pretended to feed him some of what she was eating. As he grew more fragile, she sewed the outfit that he is wearing now.

One sleepover at church, she was laughed at and Teddy was made fun of. The boys said that he had the mange. She vehemently stuck up for Teddy telling them that she didn't care how he looked, the he was very valuable.

When TV Boo went to Texas, she left Teddy here with me. She knew that I could use the comfort of her not being close by. She was so very homesick that I surprised her and sent her a box filled with goodies and backed on the very bottom was Teddy. She cried tears of joy to have Teddy back.

TV Boo is here in California with me as is Teddy. She has decided that Teddy needs to be where he is safe from harm. So, he has a special place in my curio cabinet. As I walk by, I think of a little song that was on one of my kiddie albums...

Me and my teddy bear, have no worries have no cares, just me and my teddy bear, just play and play all day.

Precious memories of my childhood include my Teddy Little Bear Franklin.

Back view - I brushed his "fur" in a side part and he's now bald.

What do you have that reminds you of your childhood or that you cherish?

20 comments:

Deidra said...

I love your teddy bear!

I never had a comfort item growing up. But...my sister did! (Too bad she's not part of the blogging world, or she could tell you herself.) She had a yellow blanket that went everywhere with her. 40 years old, wife to one and mom to two, she still has that blanket with her!

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

I had my Teddy Bear Happy who saw me through monsters in the dark and even a tonsillectomy at the age of six. He stayed with me in the sorority house and comforted me through my college years. For some reason when I said "I do" hubby didn't share my love of Teddy.

I love your little bear, he shows the years of love he has endured.

Have a fantastic evening filled with sweet dreams of your childhood!!!

Nana said...

Hey honey! I knew that teddy looked familiar, Tangi had him featured on her 5 favorte things, or a list of some sorts :-) Just wanted to say hello, and thank you, and take care :-)

Sweet Tea said...

I don't have a single object from my childhood. My Mom was a neat freak and never attached sentiment to "things". I do however have a detailed photo album which she kept for me and I LOVE it...I'm thinking since your sweet Bear hung with you through bed-wetting you owe him a place of honor in your home.

ethelmaepotter! said...

Oh, this post is so full of love, so touching. It's beautiful.
I must tell you this little story, which may or may not become a blog post of my own. One night last week, as I driving to work, my headlights shown on a mass on the side of the road, which I at first mistook for a dead dog. When I was practically on it, I realized it was large stuffed teddy bear. "OH!" I said aloud, wondering WHY it was there: did a child accidentally toss it out an open window? Was the family moving to a new home, the bear in the back of an open pickup truck, and fell off? Did an angry parent snatch it from a squalling child?
As the night wore on, I worried more and more about the child who had lost it and the bear, himself. It was cold out there, and was lying on concrete, cars and big trucks whooshing by and stirring the cold air.
Driving home, I circled around and came back down the interstate, to the spot where Mr. Bear had lain. He was gone. I had already worded the "lost" ad I would place in he Sunday newspaper, I had already imagined the tears of joy when the bear was reunited with the child.
I so hope the rightful owners realized Mr. Bear was missing and went back to retrieve him. And if they didn't, I hope he's as happy in his new home as your bear obviously is in his.

Buckeroomama said...

That was so sweet of you to send your teddy to TV Boo when she was homesick! What a lovely surprise I'm sure it was. :)

The only things that I was really quite "attached" to from my childhood are my books. Books that I've since passed on to my nieces who love books, too. (I'm kinda hoping that they might pass them back to J & Z one day when they've outgrown the books.)

Lin said...

I just love your little bear! I have a few stuffed friends that remind me of my dad, but they are up in the attic in my treasure box. I like to peek in on them, knowing they are safe. Now you are making me want to get them out. ;)

Ina in Alaska said...

What a sweet little friend. I loved my Madame Alexander "Ginny" doll, in fact she is downstairs in the safety of her box. I have many memories of playing with her and my little girfriends. I took very good care of her and her clothes. She was replaced by Barbie, but I still have my little Ginny Doll. Thanks for sharing your lovely memories. As always very enjoyable.. xoxo

Liz Mays said...

What a sweet little bear. The only thing I can think of is an afghan that my grandma knitted for me. I had it on my bed as a child. Now it's safely stored in a bag but I love it just as much as I ever did.

Kwana said...

Aww. Now you're making me think of my long forgotten purple teddy. Miss him so.

Veronica Lee said...

I still have a stuffed wombat that now is given to Josh.

Menopausal New Mom said...

Oh, that is so sweet and how generous of you to share him! I think I have let go of every toy I had as a child, I did have a gray teddy bear that I named Boo Boo. I loved him, his nose would squeak but somewhere along the way, Boo Boo went in the garbage and he was well worn out and had served me well. I have pictures of him though so maybe that is my reminder!

Thanks for the sweet post!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Ah! he is a cutie. I can't remember anything significant. My daughter has a Pooh bear that she feels the same about.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

I have a baby doll for which you have sparked an idea for a blog post.

Teddy is sooooooooooo adorable! And your post told a great story!

The Peach Tart said...

I have my old Barbie's

Joanna Jenkins said...

I LOVE this post! Your teddy bear reminded me of the doll my great grandmother made for me when I was a baby. I still have it and cherish it.

xo

Anita said...

I had a stuffed rabbit. Can you believe my parents used it as a wedge between furniture in the U-Haul when we moved from Michigan to Virginia! I love Bunny...
I still have my Walking Doll. She's lifesize, about the size of a two or three year old.
Love your bear. I hope you'll keephim forever. :)

Anita said...

I meant to say that I loved Bunny. She went to bunny Heaven sometime after having the life being squished out of her.

Anonymous said...

He's so cute!

I have a doll that is reversable. Weird I know but one side is Goldy Locks and the other side is the Big Bad Wolf. I can never part with that doll!

Sherry said...

This baby has been around the block and back. He shows his years and his love and tv boo made him the sweetest outfit. I love how you have shared him back and forth and how he has comforted you both over the years. True love!

I never really had anything like that that was my comfort. My younger sister had her "ba ba" (blanket) with a piece of satin seam binding that she loved to rub and carry with her for comfort.

 

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