A Teddy Bear It Would Be

If my family could have a mascot...A teddy bear it would be

If my family could have a mascot...A Teddy Bear It Would Be

When I was a little girl I used to have a blanket like Linus from the peanuts gang. I treasured that thing. I slept with it. I held it when I felt scared or upset. I wanted it whenever I didn't feel good. I can honestly say that I didn't get in trouble with my parents much when I was young because all my mom would have to do is raise her voice to me and I would cry. My mother washed my blanket until it became so threadbare she finally said, "Marcy, it has to go. It is old and looks really dirty. Mommy will make you a new one." I was sad, but I knew my Mommy would make good on her promise to me--she always did. It wasn't until I got much older when my mother had time to make the blanket she had promised me when I was a little girl because she was a very hard worker and didn't have much time to do things she planned to do. I always missed my little blanket; it gave me a feeling of security. I got to pick the colors out of my new blanket, but Mommy didn't get to make it until I was fifteen. Mommy, finally, crocheted one for me; it was pink and white.

Oh! How I remember that safe happy feeling that I would get when I would hold it close to me.

When I was twenty years old I fell in love. I found out that I was pregnant. I was so excited. It was a dream come true for me because in all honesty I didn't think that I would ever be able to have children because I have cerebral palsy. All I ever wanted in life was to be loved for real, be happy and have a family of my own. It seemed like I was headed in that direction, but no, not so fast, my baby's daddy wasn't ready to face the responsibility that he helped create, so I found myself having to deal with one of the greatest joys in my life as a single parent. Oh, how I missed my blankie...I went shopping in the baby section and that is when and where my love for teddy bears was born.

I felt the same safe, happy, secure feeling holding a teddy bear that I did when I held my blanket close to me as a child.

I have never told anyone this story, but it is the truth and it is the reason I collect teddy bears to this day.

My son was born on January 24th, 1986. His name is Andrew Bucella Cranmer. He is 27 years old now. He lifts me in and out of the shower everyday. He carries me up and down steps I have difficulty climbing. He has become an amazing man and a wonderful father to his own children.

This is the reason if my family could have a mascot...A teddy bear it would be!

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Word Count 520

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