Herein lies a story…….. how long have you got?
These last couple of weeks have been a bit fraught – all to do with Son #3 and yet another removal. So sitting quietly on a Sunday afternoon it was lovely to get unexpected visitors – Son #4 with his entourage, (the two littlest grandchildren who can hardly still be called The Tinies – they’re growing up so fast.
Like whirlwinds, the mood of the house changed – there was life and laughter and energy…. and an injection of thankfulness for good measure. But my tale is about something that happened just as we were finishing a meal. Young J appeared holding a white polar bear, he asked if he could take the bear home – he had been doing a project at school on cold places. His Mummy told him no and that he shouldn’t have asked. When he went to put the bear back I had to tell my story, one which meant I really wanted him to have the bear.
17 years ago I was doing a project myself – writing letters to magazines to see if I could get any published. It was part of a Writing Assignment. The undernoted is the text of the letter and Yes, it did get published, winning the polar bear.
Dear Teddy Bear Club
Unexpectedly coming across your magazine helps me to understand something from my childhood and prompts me to write now. As a small child, I envied my grandmother her collection of bears. They sat regularly on her bed – completely out of character with her rather austere nature. At least, that’s what I thought then. I couldn’t fathom why she had them and crossly felt that she ought to give me at least one. After all, I thought, bears were toys for children and I was her only grandchild. Now I realise that she must have been lonely. I’m sad that I was too young to help her much, but I’m glad she had the bears.
So you can see how important it was that my smallest grandchild should have the bear. I was able to find a toy dog for his sister, so they both had company to go home with.
Some day, I should think about the scary grandmother and tell her story. So often I will mention my Scots Granny – and always with the warmest of memories, but the English one gets short shrift.
Lovely story, Freda.
I need to ask a question for my clarification. When you speak of your son’s “removal,” I’m uncertain what that means. I suspect it means your son has moved from one location/house to another?
What a touching story. I haven’t connected here lately but I have not forgotten you!
Love your story. I noticed the polar bear before I read your post. I love stuffed bears. When my grandsons were here, I gave them two of my stuffed animals. I hope they love them as much as I do.
Your grandchildren are adorable. Dianne
Oh-oh, Should I use the word adorable like that to a Rev?
Love this story….
Adorable is an ideal word for everyone, Dianne.
The polar bear now goes by the name of “Ice”, he is very well loved and has taken pride of place on the bed beside his most loved boo boo. Thank you so much for the bear xxxx
Such a heartwarming take on generations. I can see the sparkle and the energy lurking, ready to erupt into entertaining action at your home. And yes, Dianne chose the correct word, adorable grands.
Having to be in a place far far away from the little ones because of ministry, can make me a bit grumpy sometimes. Yes we talk via Skype regularly, and thanks be to God for gifts such as that, but today her cheeks needed squeezing and kissing and you can’t do that by Skype, yet.
It is good that you can love them up close, and love them with gifts and stories.
Makes me smile.