Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues: a story of a beloved bear
Pink Teddy, as he’s come to be called, is Lucy’s favorite toy, her lovey. Most of the time – like right now as I write this – Teddy lays on the floor among the other toys, the plastic doll house pieces, My Little Ponies and Legos. But when Lucy wants to sit in my lap for a cuddle, the bear is back in her arms.
Pink Teddy is a little faded now, yet the pattern of Xs and Os, symbols for hugs and kisses on his fur, is still clear. His chest is permanently matted because Lucy uses him as a pillow at night. Her older brothers play a game of Steal the Teddy. Typical big brother behavior little Lucy tolerates poorly.
Lucy takes the bear to church and we leave him behind by mistake. She cries all the rest of the way home. That Tuesday, Pastor drops Pink Teddy at our house, driving out of his way to do it. Pink Teddy disappears into the washing machine when mommy says so. Lucy not too keen on that either.
Pink Teddy is my daughter’s lovey for cuddling, but to me he is much more than a toy. He is the physical memory of her suffering, a reminder of the kindness of strangers. A time when I could do nothing to help, but to hold her hand and pray.
Lucy screamed when the EMTs pulled back the temporary bandages to examine the growing burn blisters on her body. Our parade of ambulance, police cars and the curious halted a Little League baseball game. As we waited for the helicopter to land in the outfield to fly us to the doctors she needed, a squad member handed Lucy a pink teddy bear. Lucy immediately found comfort from it.
Today, as I watch Lucy push Pink Teddy on a swing or pretend to share her juice with him, I wonder if the squad volunteer ever thinks of my girl, curious to what happened to us. I keep meaning to send a letter of thanks, to let them know it turned out okay, but I always let busyness keep me from it.
I want to thank her for giving my Lucy a toy we both treasure.
—
While camping Memorial weekend in 2006, Lucy, 13 months old, suffered extensive burns on her tummy and thighs from spilled coffee. She and I spent three days in The Burn Center at Saint Barnabus in Livingston. Thanks be to God, there are no scars on her body today. You can read the previous post about the ordeal here.
This post is a writing exercise inspired by the book Writing Motherhood by Lisa Garrigues. Tomorrow you can read other posts about mothering at New Jersey Moms Blog.
© 2008 Monica Brand All Rights Reserved
Tags: books, mothering, New Jersey Moms Blog, reading, Writing
6.16.08 at 2:03 pm
Beck comments:
This made my heart hurt - but how lovily that the bear has become such a comforting thing for her with no shadows in her life.
Becks last blog post..The Day After Father’s Day
6.16.08 at 2:59 pm
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) comments:
What an amazing story of how a lovey came to be loved. I’m so sorry that your family had to go through that horror of the burns… but how wonderful that everything turned out well.
My girls have not yet attached to any toys. I offered Julia (now 3) many different stuffed animals and toys for her to love, but she never attached to any particular one.
Part of me is relieved that she doesn’t have one lovey b/c I’m so scared that if she had one and lost it… oh no the horror.
Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)s last blog post..Please Don’t Tease My Baby!
6.16.08 at 3:28 pm
Monica Brand comments:
I know! If anything were to happen to Teddy… I try to never let it leave the house because I’m convinced we’d lose it. One time we did forget him, with all our swim gear, at the Y. I was more upset than her.
6.17.08 at 2:53 pm
feener comments:
wow. so glad she is ok, what a reminder that bear must be !
feeners last blog post..Writing Motherhood - Moments
6.17.08 at 2:58 pm
Lisa Garrigues comments:
Hi, Monica, this is Lisa Garrigues, author of Writing Motherhood. Your post seems to come directly out of one of the chapters in my book, an invitation to write a “toy story.” You do a great job of showing the way the tangible things in our life carry intangible meanings and associations. You might consider saving this piece to give to your daughter one day. All best, Lisa
6.17.08 at 3:06 pm
Monica Brand comments:
yeah, how about this entire BLOG. ha ha. thanks for popping over here, Lisa.
6.17.08 at 9:04 pm
Jennifer, Snapshot comments:
What a wonderful story–telling us about the bear and telling us about why the bear is so important.
I have similar feels about Blankie–4 year old Kyle’s lovey that has recently become personified. Maybe I’ll write about it and link up.
6.17.08 at 9:12 pm
Monica Brand comments:
Sure, Jen - no… I’m going to start calling you Snap. Tell us the story and drop a link, or I can do it on the No Frills Blog Round up on Sat.
6.17.08 at 11:21 pm
Vanessa Druckman comments:
Monica,
what an amazing story. I remember when my son at 18 months had an operation and I soothed him in the recovery room with one of his special cloths fresh from the dryer. I loved all the images of the brothers playing steal the bear and the bear lying amongst the legos and the my little ponies.
Vanessa Druckmans last blog post..Writing Motherhood Giveaway & Book Club
6.18.08 at 10:00 pm
Marianne comments:
It’s amazing how children heal so quickly. Thank goodness she didn’t scar.
My son was nearly burned by hot coffee when he was almost three. He was in his booster at the breakfast table and my husband’s thermal cup broke/exploded, spilling the coffee in his lap.
Two things saved him from injury — me, grabbing him up as quickly as I could.
The other — the Pull Up he was wearing.
In that moment, all the misfires we endured trying to potty-training him started looking like part of His bigger Plan.
Great post, btw.
6.18.08 at 10:30 pm
Monica Brand comments:
thanks, Marianne. I forgot how her diaper protected all those delicate parts. She was sitting at the picnic table in one of those attachment type seats and the coffee went all over her belly and thighs. I think the coffee burn injury is a common one.
6.19.08 at 5:41 pm
kevvan comments:
Monica I was there that fateful day as you’re well aware. All of the memories of the incident came back just a few weeks ago when we went camping up at the Water Gap - By the way we missed you guys.
Concerning the origin of the teddy bear on the ambulance…
A while back I served as chairman of the 10th district of the New Jersey State First Aid Council (the one that Serves Hunterdon County). One of the things that we did while I was involved back then was to bring the Teddy Bear program into the rescue squad organizations in our county. Our ambulances were one of the first ones in the state to adopt the program. I’ve seen her bear and never had an inkling of it’s origin. How’s that for full circle.
I still keep connected with the folks that have taken over the program long after I stepped away from the role. I plan to share the story with them when I get the chance. Thanks for taking the time.
6.19.08 at 6:09 pm
Monica Brand comments:
Kev, that would be great. I suspect this is not the end of the story. I would love to get a picture of her with those kind folks on the squad.
(and that’s the power of blogging, folks. you never know how a e a post will cross over into real life)