The other night, as we were making the bed, Rob made a comment about my teddy bear. Jeremy is actually older than I am. If I recall correctly, he was a gift to my older sister when she was about six months old. Somewhere along the way, I adopted him, and have had him ever since. By adopting him, I mean that I have slept with him for as long as I can remember and will most likely continue to do so until my time on earth is done.

Anyway, we had been talking about family treasures and things the kids would end up with one day. It was right about here that Rob mentioned Jeremy, and wondered who was going to end up with my stinky ol’ bear. I know Rob secretly likes Jeremy. He was, after all, the one who suggested we put the bear in a glass case on the mantle to preserve what is left of him. While I appreciated the thought, I was opposed to it. To be quite honest, I probably wouldn’t be able to sleep without him. 

No, I would rather him disintegrate in my arms than be preserved indefinitely. Who, I wondered, would ever love this little bear as much as I do? Perhaps one day my kids will want to keep him. Perhaps not. But either way, I am not done with him yet. We have come a long way together, and we still have a long way to go.

So, who wants this stinky ol’ bear? I do. The rest of you will just have to get in line.