A bit late posting tonight because we have been out for a meal with friends.
After telling the story of Special Ted yesterday I thought I would take a photo of his/her passport.
As explained yesterday he was my teddy from when I was born and our youngest daughter Zoe adopted him when she was small. Zoe also decided that Special Ted was a 'she' and not a 'he' so during his mid life crisis he had a sex change.
Special Ted has travelled all over the world with us. When we went to live in Cyprus for 3 years he even had his own little suitcase with his name on it, containing his clothes, which Zoe then at the age of 7, carried with Special Ted all the way on the journey.
When we came to Australia we thought it was about time Special Ted acquired his/her own passport and here it is.
Whenever our kids were sick with childhood ailments Special Ted was there to make them better.
Sadly Special Ted's powers at healing weren't strong enough to save Zoe, but he did his best and Zoe passed away almost four years ago at the age of 36.
Posting these photos the last couple of days has brought both sad and happy memories.
The story of Special Ted, is both heartwarming and a little humorous. When you bring in the dimension of Zoe, Heshe takes on a whole new dimension of compassion and inspiration. Losing a child must be the hardest thing life can dish out. Thank you for sharing this story and photo. Love the coat of arms and insignia.
Special Ted is indeed a very special Ted & you must treasure her so much thinking of those precious arms that used to hold him. I really don't know how you & @julzmaioro cope & admire you so much. The most dreadful thing that could happen to any parent. Love your story & how Ted has become almost a living person in his own right! Long live Ted I say!
I love the passport! Did you make it yourself? The cover words made me laugh! Is there any significance to the passport number Babs? Your 'description' of the bear made me smile too. So, so sorry to read about the loss of your daughter Babs. Makes Special Ted all the more special knowing that she was loved by Zoe and that they had so much fun and adventures together.
So sorry to hear you lost your daughter. I love Ted's passport and think it's so nice that your daughter treasured something that you your self had treasured as a child
Such a special image there is a lot of love and care gone into this one Babs, a special little bear that means so much to all your family, so sorry to hear about his powers failing Zoe:)
Such a mixed emotional post Babs. It is so wonderful to see that Special Ted has such a special part in your family and I'm sure Zoe's memories will live on with Ted forever. Treasure Ted with all your heart :) Thanks for sharing. fav
Special Ted sounds as if he really has been very special over the years - including his years as a female. Your post brought tears to my eyes (as I was waiting for my eyes to be checked!) as I read about Zoe. You sound like a very special Mum. Enjoy the good memories.
This is such a lovely story, and I love the humour you have in writing some of those things on the passport pages. He really is a Special Ted, and it sounds like Zoe loved him a lot.
@happypat Thanks Pat. I didn't expect when I took the first teddy photo that it would lead to such emotional feelings for me, both sad and happy. I can't speak for Julia @julzmaioro but I suspect she feels much the same as I do. You do get to a point where you can't cry any more and you just have to stay above most of the sad times and just remember the happy times. You really do have to reach acceptance. Not easy, but you do get pulled down again every so often.
@stephanies Thanks Stephanie, no I didn't make the passport, you can buy them in gift shops out here, they are humorous passports. An Australian Air Force friend gave this to us before we came to Australia and we thought it would be a good idea to turn it into Special Ted's passport, especially as he has travelled all over the world with us.
After the photo of the bears on the beach I just found this one and its associated narrative. Like others it made me smile and tear up at the same time. I knew about your loss as you shared it with me when I lost my mum. Who knows what triggers these memories. Thanks for sharing.
@Cherrill Thanks Cherill, I hope you are fine now. It is an awful wrench for us all whoever we lose. We just have to remember the happy times. Take care.
@onewing Thank you Babs. Its been over a year now and things are better now, not so raw, but of course sometimes life just catches you out doesn't it? She's with me everyday and that's good.
Ted has had lots of adventures and I used to tell them to Zoe when she was small which is why I think he became special to her too.
@chimfa Thanks Jane. I know Zoe has special memories for you too. Difficult sometimes to think that she isn't with us any more.