He made sure to tell us that it is his favorite animal, which is saying a lot -- he is giving zoo-kid Hunter a run for his money on the plush animal collection. And he emphasized that it is the bear he got at the hospital (UPMC in Pitt, last January, 2010) from us -- upon meeting, and just hours before being required to leave to begin what became a very, very long wait.
I remember giving plush animals to Anna and Jameson. And I remember with certainty that at least one was a bear. I can't seem to pull from my oatmeal brain of foggy stress and chaos the exact image of this as "the" bear, but if he's hugged it all year while waiting -- loved it 'till it's arm dangled by a few threads -- I'm gonna believe him.
One of our first tasks once finally back in Illinois was to get that arm stitched firmly into place.
And to give his owner -- our son -- a snuggly tuck-in with a back rub. In his new bed. At home.
I am humbled to tears at the precious simplicity of a bear, a back rub and a bed. These children have in them a spirit that is sweet despite unimaginable trials. We all take so much for granted...
ReplyDeleteWe continue to pray for you all!
The BerryBunch