Friday, December 7, 2007

The Perfect Teddy Bear
















Not long before Christmas, my seven year old granddaughter, Mandy, asked me to tell her about my best Christmas when I was a child.

"My mommy died when I was born", I told her, "but I remember that when I lived in the orphanage, a wonderful lady gave me a little blue teddy bear on Christmas. I loved that teddy bear and wanted to keep it perfect, so I asked her to keep it on her bed. Every day I went to her room and saw it. I was four or five years old".

"Do you still have your blue teddy bear?" Mandy asked.

"Well," I continued, "one day the wonderful lady was gone and another woman with a child took her room. When I went by, I saw her daughter playing with my blue teddy bear. I asked her for it, but she said it wasn't mine. That broke my heart".

"That's so sad," said Mandy. "Did you ever get it back?" "No", I said.

Two weeks passed and Christmas morning arrived. It is our custom that the youngest child give out the gifts, and that year it was Mandy. As the gift giving ended, she knelt in front of me and placed a small parcel on my lap -- her gift to me.

I opened it and tears poured down my cheeks.
"Don't you like it"? Mandy asked.
"Dear child", was all I could manage as I hugged her, squeezing between us her gift -- a little blue teddy bear.


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Yesterday I dug out my container of Christmas cards and found this little story.... yet again.
I keep it in the box, along with other little stories and letters.... each year I read it...and every single year..... I cry. Then, with eyes that can't see a darn thing...I try to address envelopes for out of country friends and relatives. Over the weekend, I will cry again as I do the rest of my cards.

I found it years ago in a magazine. Original by Ruth Lemke (in the Hamilton Spectator).

Of course, that little bear up top is Bluebeary Ice, one of my needle felts; not the bear in the story.

10 comments:

Darly Dolittle said...

Dear me Vee,
That blue bear is absolutely ADORABLE! Do you sell the bears?
Van Gogh and expresso flavored alcohol,sounds fabulous, almost as good as Van Gogh and beer! Let me know how it is and the name of it.
Darly

this is my patch said...

I love your little ice blue needle felt bear, is he a miniature, he looks so cute. Lovely story about the blue bear, how nice to be remembered of it years later by being given another little blue bear by your grand-daughter, this is a very sweet story and something to treasure. I have a blue Steiff bear which my mum gave me, which I love very much. x

Judi W. said...

Okay, no fair, you made me cry too! Bluebeary Ice is fab! Just love your bears ....

Vee said...

That was a sweet story and I thank you for sharing it.

I am amazed by all the expression that you achieve with your miniature bears...he's simply too cute for words!

Windlost said...

Oh, very sweet!

Thanks for your comment on my post! The crystal wire thingie comes from The Bay, and they were about $9.99 each. I splurged on 3 but figured they'd last a while. The crackle candleholders are from Superstore and they were $1.49 each!!! I bought 5!

Happy Shopping!

Linda Fleming said...

Oh, Vee! That story melted my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Blueberry is even more gorgeous and special after hearing the story.

Linda Fleming said...

OMG! I just noticed the little dog in your side bar and had to follow the link to your picture site to see more of them- they are adorable! I have a white Standard poodle and thise poodles you made are a perfect example of my foofy Isabella. Do you make them to sell? I would love to have one done in white!

bj said...

the story of the bear and your little granddaughter made me cry but not a sad cry...i, too, am a grandmother and know, first hand, about these heart things!!
hugs, bj

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What a sweet story! I love your little bears!

Katherine

Jennifer said...

What a sweet little granddaughter you have. Beautiful story.