Every thrift store has them, a large bin or long shelf overflowing with what I call the “unloved”, discarded plush toys. They are all waiting to be adopted and usually sell for the lowly price of 99 cents.
But I have observed that no matter how many stuffed toys a child may have, one is often singled out. It becomes a beloved friend, companion and security object.
Our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents had fewer toys and these were also much beloved. Many families are lucky to be their caretakers. Here are some of our family’s very special toys that have survived years of love.
David was a gift given to my mother by my father when he was courting her. One day, my mother was taking a walk and found a lost dog tag. She put it on David where it remains. The date on his dog tag is 1924.
This is our daughter’s much loved Raggedy Ann. All the facial surgeries were performed by my husband’s mother. Our daughter says that Raggedy Ann is now “living her best life with Paddington Bear.”
When our son was a runner in high school, he received Albert the Running Bear. After being a good mascot, Albert moved on to the next generation. Calamity struck when the family dog mistook Albert for a dog toy. I performed the surgery including a complete rhinoplasty (nose reconstruction) and eye transplants. He has made a splendid recovery and has just met his next generation.
Goodnight Moon Bunny was our granddaughter’s beloved toy. Bunny went everywhere with her, even to college. Although scarred from stitches and very thin, Bunny now happily lives in Los Angeles.
Here’s a family portrait and a who’s who. Lamby is our great-niece’s very, very special friend. Lamby was once accidentally left behind in an RV museum and was recovered after a long trip back and a search through many campers. The happy cow was her brother’s favorite. And then there is “Monk” our niece’s adored childhood toy that was passed down from her mother. When Monk was given to our great-niece, she flung it out her bedroom door. It did not send love vibrations to her. ( P.S. Lucy, the chihuahua is very real.)
Little Kitty and Big Kitty are both from the famous German toymaker, Steiff. Little Kitty was a gift to my mother from her sister. Big Kitty was a birthday gift to me from my husband before we were married. Little did he know that we would end up living with nine cats.
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I loved this… 🥰
Thank you, Mary! Very meaningful post. I had a comfort stuffed dog until my great aunt from AZ visited when I was maybe five? By then it was dirty so she threw it away!! I was devastated. That relative was childless.
How sad! The importance of these beloved toys cannot be overestimated.Thank you for sharing.
Every family has somewhere in their history a story such as this. On one
bed in our house are four dolls that belonged to my Mother.
Thanks Mary.
Yes, almost every family has stories like this. A good thing to think about and remember at Christmas time.
We are charmed–by both the photos and tales . . .
Thank you, Evie! I know you could add stories of your own to this!