Just By Happenstance

10. I can count on spending most of the day NOT working.

  9. There will most likely be lots of positive energy in the air.

  8. I love the colors red, white, and blue

  7. There will be lots of #8 around.

  6. Steve and I will place a new American flag on the Kawasaki for the rest of the year.

  5. My family will be gathering to spend the day together.

  4. We'll most likely have homemade ice cream.

  3. I will be grateful for the freedom to criticize the current administration (for now).

  2. I will remember those who died protecting my right to be a pacifist.

  1. I will remember that the one thing  which makes America great is Americans!!!

Many of you have been visiting Happenstance for a long time and know my story and the inhabitants of my world. One of them, my friend since childhood, Teddy, has made a bit of a request of me and after he explained his reasons for it, I had to agree.

You see, he is a quiet, well-behaved teddy bear who has become very inquisitive about life in the world of human beings. He's also a little shy by nature, but still makes little forays out into the Spaces community visiting people he has come to trust. Perhaps some of you have already had a comment or two left for you by a certain scruffy old bear, as Teddy often refers to himself.

Well, Teddy visited someone some time ago, a newcomer to the little boat, without sufficient introduction and a mild misunderstanding transpired. More confused than anything else, he asked me to explain what had happened. Then he understood: not everyone has any idea who "Teddy" is. So...

Following is the blog entry in which Teddy pretty much told his own story in his own words, despite my well-intentioned help. I've posted it at the little guy's urging, as an introduction of sorts.

Teddy has also asked me to ask anyone who reads this if he might have their permission to visit them from time to time, understanding and accepting that there are some who might not wish for such a thing; he understands the importance of choices.

So, without further ado, here is 

Teddy's Story

Gee, Margaret got me out of that old box last night. It is so nice to see again the inside of a room that has been lived in instead of the inside of a dark closet... It has been a long time; I thought she had forgotten me.

She and I have a history, you see. She probably would not like for me to tell any of her secrets, but because I love her and she knows I would never do anything to hurt her, I really do not think she would mind too much if I reminisced a bit. After all, it is Christmas time. I would like to talk a little. But, then, I suppose most humans would not care to listen to the ramblings of an old teddy bear, anyway...

Teddy..?

Margaret?

Yes, Teddy. It's me. You weren't expecting me to find you doing this little expose', were you..?

Wellll, no... Do you mind?

Of course not, little guy. Why would I mind?

You are not always the most open person, you know.

Yes, I know, but I'm working on it.

May I continue?

I'm sorry. Go ahead, my friend. I won't bother you again...

I knew Margaret a long, long time ago before she was Marge. She was a shy little girl with a lot of imagination. She liked to talk when she knew people, but most of the time she was content to play by herself. She liked to read, too--

You're making me sound like a little hermit, Teddy.

You weren't going to bother--

Sorry...

She interrupted others sometimes.

I am afraid I must confess that my memory is not so good. I have not been out of that box for so long; there is a lot of Margaret's life I have not seen. You see, when people give a teddy bear to a child they figure the bear will be there while the child is small: a friendly companion, company. The child will grow up as Margaret did and the bear will be outgrown like the child's shoes.

Sometimes old bears are given away. I was one of the lucky ones. Margaret kept me. If she had given me away, though, I would have understood. Another little boy or girl would have loved me just as much. Their hugs and cuddles would have felt just as nice.

Margaret does not know this yet, but I can feel her feelings and know what she is thinking. I believe it started when I was first given to her. The first thing she felt was happiness. But right now she is feeling a little sadness about leaving me in the closet for so long. I think she is doing the right thing by bringing me out again. Even if she does not remember a lot of our times together when she was a little girl, she sees me and remembers me as a friend. That is enough.

I am not as handsome now as I was when Margaret and I first became friends. I think I had a ribbon around my neck and my body was nice and plump. My fur was softer and fluffier then. You can not see my mouth very well now, and I think I used to have my little red tongue sticking out a little (I am not too sure why that was...I think I am glad it is not sticking out anymore. It seemed a little rude back then...)

I am a little dirty, too. But, you know, it is not such a bad thing. I was in a little girl's life. We did stuff together. If she sat on the floor, I was probably there, too. If she had a cookie, she probably tried to share it with me. If she went outdoors to play in the yard, chances are that I was right there with her. She loved to climb trees. I like to remember her and me in the big old maple in her back yard. She used to love to sing--still does--and probably sang to me as we sat among the leafy branches.

There is a very sad thing about teddy bears. No one told me this next thing; I think it is something that Margaret has thought. And now I know it. Anyway, a teddy bear is pretty much forever. Little boys and little girls are not. They grow up, have little boys and girls of their own, then keep on growing until they become something called old. Margaret is thinking right now that that she is not old and I will not tell her otherwise. In my eyes she is still that little girl who loved me and whom I still love. She is thinking about grandchildren some day. She is thinking that she would like to give me to one of her sons or to one of her grandchildren. Her sons are all grown up. I think I would like to be with a little child again...

Teddy..?

Yes, Margaret?

I am so very sorry.

Sorry? Why?

You must have been very sad and lonely in the closet all those years...

Part of a teddy bear's job is to forgive and forget. I think that is why my memory is not very good. I only remember good things. That is enough.

Teddy..?

Yes, Margaret?

Would you like to spend Christmas with Steve and me?

Steve? Who is Steve?

When you are done with your story, I'll sit down with you. We'll talk. And then you will meet Steve.

I would like that. You love him, too?

Yes, I do, Teddy. Very much.

Margaret?

Yes, Teddy..?

I think I will love him, too.

I know you will, my little friend.  Teddy, I would like to give you a Christmas present a little early, okay?

That would be very nice, Margaret. Thank you.

Merry Christmas, Teddy...

Merry Christmas, Margaret.

(Added June 28, 2008... The Christmas gift Teddy received was the pretty red ribbon he wears today; some time later I gave him his nice, new, shiny black nose...)

  my little boat is not so big

but big enough to share

don't wonder if i've room for you

i'll find some for you there

oh, many come and many go

and some are glad to stay

you make my journey easier

and brighten up my day

i haven't much for cargo here

just stories and some rhyme

i travel light but that's okay

it's how i pass my time

tell your tales  i'll tell you mine

and we shall sail together

we'll travel free and friends we'll be

through smooth and stormy weather

i'm very glad you found me here

upon my peaceful sea

and hope you'll share this voyage with

my scruffy bear and me

Many of you may have heard David Letterman's lists on

"The Tonight Show"

...well... 

Here's a list for your consideration:

10 Things I Love About My Man 

10. His dreams at night are more baffling than mine,

and  infinitely more interesting.    

Y

9.He wears flavored lip balm

and I get to pick out the flavors.  

Y

8. He brings me flowers

"just because".

Y

7. He gives me the most fabulous foot rubs.

Y

6. He often gives me #7 unasked.

Y

5. He sometimes brings me chocolate as a little giftie

"just because".

Y

4. He makes me laugh.

Y

3. He has earned the respect of a lot of people,

including me.

Y

2. When I'm too focused on why things won't work out,

he reminds me of the reasons they can.  

Y

1. I come first.

(Thank you, baby...)

I invite my visitors to share 10 things (or as many as you wish...) which you love about your significant others/beloveds/spouses.

!!!Enjoy!!!

Love,

Marge

we've done this before

my love and i

ridden beneath full moon skies

two wheels beneath us

the road before us

the world all around us

the two of us

seated behind

my arms around him

i feel safer here

than anyplace else

i'm happy

my heart is light

i feel free

moon above

smile down and

light our way

see us safely home

adventures must end

just for now

and we will sleep

wink a sly wink

for my love and me

whisper to the stars

they must remain still

nighttime tales must cease

sleepy eyes must close

but just for now

let dreams come

let me feel

the road again

rush of the wind

the cool night air and

i 'll look up and whisper

goodnight to you

...wishing goodnight and sweet dreams to you,

dear gentlespacers...

love,

marge