Mar. 18, 2007 - Legacy
A Bear and His Boy
On Easter morning when I was ten years old I opened my bedroom door to find a floppy, but by all other appearances, well fed, stuffed bear at my feet. Between his legs sat a bowl of candy and a note. It contained no pretense; was brief and to the point. Looking back, I suppose it was my father's way of sharing the hard truth about what popular culture had taught me about Easter over the years. It read simply:
"Hi, I'm Bubba, the bear that ate the Easter Bunny."
I remember coping with the news well and was able to put his carnivorous tendencies aside for the sake of what would become a life long friendship. Bubba the bear (that ate the Easter Bunny) still spends his winters hybernating in my closet and comes out from time to time to play with my own children, as well as one of my cats. He has been re-stuffed and slobbered on (see previous post) over the years and ultimately surrendered his place as my pillow to a much lumpier but none the less furry and lovable human I call 'Steve.'
I will always have a soft spot in my heart for that bear. I try to show my appreciation as often as I can and during hunting season he even receives a special invitation to keep my husband's side of the bed warm while he's away.
This love seems to be paying off too, for today while checking in on our son, my husband discovered that Bubba's work in training his young protege (who, coincidentally is named 'Hal', like my father) has come to fruition. 'Hal' has already been re-stitched due to the type of slight injuries that often come about when two young cubs wrestle. Today, however, was the first evidence we've seen to indicate that he's earned enough respect to be the privileged soft landing place for a young child's sweet head.
Comments
Mar. 20, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by PumpkinsMomma
I should send you a picture of my bear! I slept with it every night until hubby and I got married. I even slept with it when he deplyed. And recently since my bck problems and the surgery....well, hubby has slept on the couch to not bother me and the bear has slept in bed with me! :)
i miss my hubby - but bears don't snore or hit my sore spot in the middle of the night! hopefully i'll be better soon.
marie
Mar. 20, 2007 - I'm with ya!
Posted by skdenfeld
Teddy Bears don't sleep with their elbows up in the air in proximity to where your face will be when you roll over either ; )