He wasn't supposed to be here. It should have been something woolly or chirpy gracing my desk. He doesn't even have a name. But he arrived today, and he has a story - or rather, he allowed someone to tell me a story I never knew.
My Mum spotted him. I could see she was weary and a little dejected. Although determined to do as much as she could, her hands were gripping her 'wheelie' frame tightly for support as we walked very slowly along the darkening street. Suddenly she said "Look!" And there he was, sitting on the floor of the charity shop near the brightly-lit window. "Oh!" she exclaimed, "Isn't he lovely! But he looks so forlorn ...". And without more ado, she manoeuvred herself and her frame inside, emerging gingerly five minutes later with his ears peeping out of a bag.
Once home, she lifted him out, and stroked him carefully, turning him over and over. "We can clean him up and give him to Will" (her new great grandchild), she said in a wistful tone. Turning to set him down, she added "I never had one, you know".
"A bear? I asked.
"Not a bear, or a doll, or anything like that", came the reply. "Not ever. Out in a farm in the country ... It was wartime. Things were hard. Later, my younger sisters had a doll. But I never did." I looked at her small drooping shoulders, and heard the sadness. "Aunt Matty gave me a doll's teaset when I was ten - she must have seen, you know, how things were. But I never had anyone to make tea for with it ..."
"We don't have to give him away" I suggested gently. "You could just keep him."
"D'you think so?" She held him close as she peered at the stitching on his ears and tut-tutted. Her shoulders straightened; I knew there was going to be a request to fetch the sewing box any minute now. "Well, let's tidy him up and see. He can live here with me for a while. Can you put him on your desk beside your machine? I'll have a go tomorrow." She stroked him again slowly, her eyes bright with a smile.
I looked at them both, and smiled too. Perhaps he was supposed to be here after all ...
Sounds like he has found his way home :-)
Posted by: Amy | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 01:54 AM
Oh, what a wonderful story. I'm so glad your mom is going to keep him a while!!! Hope you can get a photo of her tidying him up tomorrow.
Posted by: Melissa | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 06:02 AM
Such a lovely story, I hope your Mom enjoys having him around:) I still have my bear that my Nan bought before I was born, she saw him sat on a teapot in a shop window and couldn't leave him there looking sad.
Posted by: Janette | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 07:59 AM
What a lovely story I am sure your Mum will enjoy him. It reminds me of Aimee and her 'doggy' x Andie
Posted by: Andie | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 08:22 AM
Such a poignant story,Alexa....I think there would be a few of your mum's age with a similar tale to tell.....I think that bear has found his home.
Posted by: Jacky S | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 08:30 AM
Reading through tears! Thank you Alexa - it reminded me so much of my late Grandma who I miss very much. Teddy has found a good home. x
Posted by: Julie Kirk | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 08:36 AM
Heart-breaking Alexa.
Posted by: Jimjams | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 09:31 AM
Oh, Alexa, so touching. Writing through tears. Do snatch a photo of your Mum tidying him up.
Posted by: Helen | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 10:06 AM
awwww...so sweet! Great post and a wonderful new companion. Happy woyww!
Posted by: Theresa | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 10:16 AM
Hi Hun
aww a gorgeous teddy, a very beautiful post that bought tears to me eyes!!! grabbin a tissue quickly now as im spose to be workin! lol, It was ment to be some things just are,have great day, happy WOYWW, sue,x(18)
Posted by: sue | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 10:59 AM
Love your new friend :-)
If you haven't been yet please pop over to our blog shop, leave us a comment and be in with the chance to win a crafter's apron.
http://sisterscraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Good luck.
A x
Posted by: Wipso | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 12:10 PM
Oh I do hope she will keep him now......has he got a name yet?
Posted by: Amanda | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 12:14 PM
What a lovely, lovely story. I'm so glad the bear found the perfect home (if I'd been there I wouldn't have been able to leave him there either!) Funny, my mum was the same: she did have a couple of dolls and I think she spent a lot of time sewing for them; but she had no teddy and now at 79 she has found a few she loves.
Posted by: Sian | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 12:56 PM
Your story makes me want to run right out and buy your Mum a couple of proper dolls! But I'm so happy that she found this teddy and I do hope she will decided to keep him.
Posted by: Cheri | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 01:30 PM
Your story almost made me cry. A little girl with no doll or teddy to cuddle. Isn't it heartbreaking when we hear something like that of our own mom? I'm so glad that she found this teddy, he looks so sweet.
Posted by: Carola Bartz | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 04:08 PM
What a wonderfully poignant story. Some things are simply meant to be and I am sure Ted will appreciate all the love and care he will receive from now on.
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 04:40 PM
Lovely story. I wonder what she'll name him.
Posted by: Susanne | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 05:05 PM
That reminds me a lot of my late grandmother- she never had a doll either. The eldest of 10 she worked from the time she was able to hold a scrub rag. My grandpa bought her a little china-faced doll in the early 80s, the start of a small collection. Being the eldest granddaughter I now have it, and it makes me remember to be thankful for everything I have.
Posted by: Tink | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 05:52 PM
Beautiful story, hopefully after all these years or waiting the right Mr Ted has finally found her.
Hugs
Brenda 103
Posted by: Brenda B | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 06:00 PM
Oh Alexa, bless your mum, what a wonderful story, that brought a tear to my eye, no bear should ever go unloved & no girl should ever have to be without a bear. I hope your mum & Ted the bear are very happy together.
C
xx
Posted by: claireliz | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 07:22 PM
Such a beautiful story Alexa, I too am thrilled he has found a new home with someone to love him again x
Posted by: Miriam | Wednesday, 23 February 2011 at 09:40 PM
Such a sad and beautiful story, Alexa. I think that he must be a very special bear to have found a good home with your mum. He will need plenty of hugs, I suspect.
Bernie x
Posted by: Bernie | Thursday, 24 February 2011 at 02:47 PM
Those were the days I am told. You usually only hear the good in story's about those days. I know everything wasn't roses for parts of the population! I think it is your Mum's turn for a bear and a dolly! Thanks for sharing with us.
Vickie #148
Posted by: Okienurse | Thursday, 24 February 2011 at 08:33 PM
Obviously he was put in the shop just for her! Sad not to have been able to have a teddy or doll as a child - at least it is never too late for a special soft friend.
My mother has wartime memories of her toys being given away to poor children. She had several nice things, but her father thought the other children needed them more. She was heartbroken when they broke them (and he said he'd never have made her give them away, if he'd known how they'd be treated). She's rather fond of the teddy I bought her around 20 years ago. He was hand-made and I found him in a teddy bear shop in Cambridge.
No one is ever too old to have a teddy bear!
Posted by: Lizzie | Thursday, 24 February 2011 at 09:13 PM
Glad Ted has found a good home - your mums story sounds like my nan but when she was an adult she used to collect cuddly toys I remember having a great time playing when we used to go to London to visit - Think you should find a doll for your mum to keep ted company ~ Nicky 4
Posted by: Nicky | Thursday, 24 February 2011 at 11:18 PM
Looks like Teddy is in your Mum's safe hands for the time being but he will become a huge part of the family I am guessing. I never had a dolls's house although plenty of dolls when I was little but it is my ambition to have one some day
Posted by: lindadragonfly | Friday, 25 February 2011 at 04:44 PM
Oh, I love this story. Just love it. And how sweet that your mom gets to have a teddy after all this time. I think he should stay with her!
Posted by: Lois Houston | Friday, 25 February 2011 at 11:19 PM
It was meant to be - the teddy in the window, your Mum passing by at the right moment. I hope he brings hours of happiness to your Mum & thank you for sharing the story :)
Posted by: giselle | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 12:00 AM
Thank you for sharing, he's lovely and loved now. #67
Posted by: Ohhh Snap | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 02:53 AM
This is so touchingly beautiful. So poignant and lovely. Good for your mum - that she finally has her doll!
Posted by: Marcie | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 12:59 PM
Ah yes, this all made perfect sense to me. Teddy definitely belongs with you ....
Posted by: Rosie | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 02:21 PM
Lovely story and so well written! Gorgeous teddy too!
Happy be-lated WOYWW and
Thanks for sharing! :D
#152
ƸӜƷ...x♥Tracey♥x...ƸӜƷ
Posted by: Tracey Brossart | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 03:14 PM
Ok you made me cry with that story. Not because its sad, but because its a beautiful story and reminded me that we are never too old to have a huggable bear,
Happy belated WOYWW
Posted by: Tertia | Saturday, 26 February 2011 at 06:06 PM
Beautiful story, beautifully written.
Posted by: Karen W | Friday, 04 March 2011 at 12:08 PM
I've so enjoyed having time to catch up on all your recent posts, but this was the one I had to comment on. What a lovely, lovely story, thank you so much for sharing it. I've read and loved all your posts that I'd missed, but this is the one I came back to xx
Posted by: Mel | Saturday, 05 March 2011 at 11:34 PM
Oh that made me cry. I am so glad your mum finally got a bear. I hope you are keeping well, just found your blog so will have a catch up today.
Posted by: juliwan | Thursday, 10 March 2011 at 10:25 AM
Hi Julie! Glad to be found and hope all continues to be well with you. I'll keep popping in. :)
Posted by: Alexa | Thursday, 10 March 2011 at 10:30 AM