Ode to Lovey Bear

A best friend from the very beginning. Who knew that among all the new baby gear and goodies mommy and daddy so generously received while awaiting the arrival AJ, that the most precious and desired would be a tiny soft bundle of satin ivory cloth sporting a velvety teddy bear head and arms. You arrived with your cousin, a blue version to your ivory with a puppy dog noggin. You both found a home in a crib that anxiously awaited a new baby boy to occupy it with you. Merely considered crib decor at the time, you knew what your future was and how very important you would become in the life of AJ. You greeted him when he arrived home and you were there in that crib and kept watch over him the first time he slept in it through the night.

You waited patiently for him to develop and recognize you as his childhood soulmate. And then finally it happened. One day while AJ played in his crib watching his mobile dance above him, he turned his head and saw you there. His tiny pudgy grabby fingers reached out and locked onto your satin cloth and he pulled you to him and he squealed in delight. He lifted you to his face and then quickly lifted you over his head... back to his face, then back in the air. Over and over it would repeat with a peels of baby giggles in between. AJ and Lovey Bears first playtime interactions and never to be separated again.

It soon became impossible for AJ to sleep without you closely at his side. You were never very far or out of his sight while he bounced in his jumper, swung in his swing or reclined in his bouncer. You could most often be found in a clenched fist as he drug you with him when he roamed the living room on all fours or motored around the house in his walker. A constant companion who was always willing to go along for the ride. And because you were becoming so important, the thought of losing you led mommy and daddy to declare you a permanent housemate. You blue cousin, Snuggly, took up residence in the car seat and would accompany AJ on outings where you had been banned. Your status has been sealed as the most prized possession of AJ's fleet of toys and friends.

The bonds of friendship have strengthened and that bond is inseparable. Your once pristine ivory color has slowly faded to dingy and your thick cloth and satin has been worn thin by constant snuggles of love. But your smile never fades and your eyes remain bright. You are the calm that tames a ragging toddler storm, a soother of scrapes and bumps, a keeper of dreams that makes bedtime a nighttime bliss. Besides mommy and daddy, yours is the comfort that AJ seeks and desires the most. You enjoy a good roll in the dirt, a push on the swings from AJ, a ride in the toy dumpster truck, galavanting and chasing bubbles and snuggling close to AJ for peaceful walks. You have tackled the dirty jobs and been the absorbent of drool and snot and served as a napkin after many meals. But you have also absorbed and soothed countless tears and many more precious giggles of laughter. You gracefully enter the washing machine and exit the dryer ready for more action and never skip a beat. You bring joy, you comfort and soothe. Your are a strong presence in our household and a member of the family. You are the best friend to a sweet and adventurous toddler whose world would most certainly turn upside down if anything were to ever happen to you.

You are Lovey Bear and you are loved beyond measure.