My dearest childhood friend

When I was 5 years old, my dad gave me Teddy. More accurately, he gave me a little teddy bear and thanks to my wildly creative imagination, he was henceforth named Teddy. I was appauled by anybody else who had a 'fake' Teddy. We moved a lot growing up and often times I felt he was my only friend in the world - I truly thought he got me (he did, he totally did) - understood my childhood angst and listened patiently with those wise, understanding eyes - and never once said or even thought anything unkind.

Because of my dependency on Teddy to sleep, for (cough) decades, Teddy has had lots of adventures - including a number of trips down the Grand Canyon, getting lost on the side of the road for weeks (SOB) and accompanying us to Hawaii on our honeymoon. He nearly went to Europe to try authentic French croissants with me but I was terrified my bag would be stolen and he was Irreplaceable. It was hard to sleep in Europe.

I was about seven months pregnant with Gracie when I stopped sleeping with Teddy every night. I just couldn't get comfy with him there jabbing me in the ribs, I had enough of that from the inside. When Gracie was about two, I tried passing Teddy onto her. I was so excited to give him to her - I could just imagine the joy lighting up her face when she realized what a precious and wonderful friend he was... someone she certainly could not fall asleep without. One night at bedtime, I lovingly told her about Teddy and offered him for her to snuggle with... she immediately chucked him across the room. I nearly wanted to slap her and shed a few tears. Two just doesn't get sentimentality. Duh.

Four years later, I tried again. This time I used Guilt, Whimsy & Cunning to bestow him to her. Thankfully, she fell for it. And him. She's not yet dependent on him to sleep, but I hope she soon becomes a Teddy addict. I'm weird that way.

Yesterday she wrote a book about him. Her first novel! Spelling and punctuation are authentic.

Teddy
by Gracie (age 6)

Teddy is my best friend. Teddy is really silly. Teddy is really fun to have around. We like to read, play, do some silly stuff together. When Teddy meets my new friends he plays with them. Teddy is really cute and kind. When I took Teddy to school me and Johnny were laughing so hard that Teddy was starting to laugh too. We play school and Teddy is the princibal. Teddy dressed silly.

Teddy is six years old. When it is Teddy's birthday he sticks his head in the cake. Teddy gets the first piece. Teddy likes vanilla cake and vanilla ice cream. Teddy's favorite books are the Boxcar Children books. When Teddy eats dinner or breakfast or lunch Teddy sticks all of his ten fingers in the food. Teddy's favorite kind of food is Panda Exspress. Teddy also likes salad.

Teddy is very friendly. When Teddy doesn't get what he wants Teddy tries to drive to Panda Exspress. When Teddy is sleepy he says, "I'm not sleepy." I say "yes you are sleepy." When Teddy hits the pillow he falls asleep. Teddy never reads in the night or resting time. Teddy dos'nt like to play ring-around-the-rosy at all.

When Teddy is in the bath Teddy says, "Yuck"! When Teddy is watching TV Teddy says lets go to outerspace! I say no! Stop talking through movies. Teddy says, "sorry." I say, " well right you better mean it."

When Teddy was ten he played his ipod. The songs were Jesus songs. Teddy wants to learn more about Jesus. When Teddy was a tiny baby he looked so cute. Teddy also said funny words when he was a baby.
Toot Lolipop
Toot Lolipop
Goo Goo Ga Ga

How Teddy said "Thank you Mommy was Ga-Ga Mama. Teddy was really cute when he was a baby. Teddy loves going to church. I love to read Teddy stories and play and make cool crafts. Do you like Hannah and Adam I asked? I don't know Teddy answered. You've seen Hannah and Adam a lot. No I have'nt. I asked Teddy to tell me the truth. Teddy started to say that he was going to think about what he was going to say. Finally Teddy said I lied to you, I'm really sorry. It's okay that you lied to me. That night Teddy had a dream about himself eating pancakes. Teddy had a good dream.

The next morning was Saturday. Teddy asked if they could have pancakes for breakfast. Mommy answered yes. After lunch they went to Makutu's Island. It was fun!

THE END.