She's not crying 'cos I'm hogging our chair... truly! (T.B.Esq.)
A Few Words from Christine
Ted Bear and I have been best mates since I was two and he was new.
I had only barely been a doll person until I met Ted, but he won my heart on that birthday when we met and has owned the oldest part of it for over 7 decades now.
He holds one little girl's secrets and the tears (both happy and sad), and even after all this time, never, ever told anyone else a single one. What a champion!
Straight after deciding he wanted his story told, he naturally chose me, the person who's known and loved him best in this whole wide world. It's been yet another joy to share with my best mate, Ted.
(Trumpet fanfare.... drum roll... 21 gun salute)
- a LOT of words from Ted Bear Esq.
Hallo – Ted Speaking (haarr-haarrumph)
Telling Mum what to write is a tough job, but someone had to grin and bear it - that is, tell Mum what to do about anything. It's a challenge I'm up for after all the years we've shared. There's a stout heart beating strongly beneath this hairy chest. Plus, I have the added support of small friends at Mum's computer... there's Guide Dog Puppy in a red coat, True Blue the Aussie Koala with his Anzac Day badge pinned to his jacket, another Guide Dog Puppy in a blue coat, and most importantly, the best assistant I've ever known, Charlie the One-eyed Crows supporter (he's made from a gumnut with a knitted 'Crows' cap, and poor fellow truly only owns one eye). Although they're only little chaps, you know the saying about good things in small packages? Well these kids are simply the best.
I'm sure it's already quite clear to you - like a great wine, I am ageing beautifully. There are the odd niggles - a bit of thinning hair here, a suggestion of sagging there... ah well, I try to accept the wear and tear always trooping along with the 'getting of wisdom'... it happens, even to nobility. Mine not to reason why. Mine but to bear, or cry... ( haar-haarumph! That's enough now!)
These days I find I need glasses more often than not. My vision problem began when I found my arms were too short for comfortable reading. Did they shrink, do you think? Funny - I didn't feel my arms getting smaller. It began to disturb me as it worsened each time Postie Bear brought me important mail from far away friends and I needed to squint and twist my head every which way to read those precious words.
'Twas quite unbearable for a while, until Mum bought spectacles for me. At first I felt a bit weird. Kind of different, you know? And sort of ashamed and scared. What would others think about Ted Bear Esq. in glasses? Snigger? Whisper behind my back? You know... ever had those feelings? I thought maybe there'd be people who wouldn't like me anymore. It felt gross, and made me SO unhappy. Trust Mum to gather up all the Small Knitty Gritty Kids – and Gran and Grandpa too – to sit together on the lounge and talked it through.They've all been SO kind. I had armfuls of hugs from small people telling me how much they loved me, with or without glasses. I could hardly bear it, and must admit to the odd sniffle. And as if their caring wasn't more than enough, the Small Knitty Gritty Kids went without all manner of things to give me warm and special scarves for the coldest nights.
Sometimes I wear the pure wool scarf we inherited from my Mum's Dad. The one he loved and wore heaps, many long years ago (bit of an honour actually). It's all brown and cream and SO cosy when I'm sitting there – on guard – watching over Mum through the night.
Then, for a change, and if I need a lift of my spirits on dreary Winter days, I wear the gorgeous pinky, purply one – thanks to the overwhelming kindness of the Small Knitty Gritty Kids. Who else would have guessed how mean those chilly nights can be as you sit perfectly still... for hours, and hours? And understood how stiff a neck can get after it doesn't move... for hours, and hours? The Small Knitty Gritty Kids could – bless their small loving hearts. What a family!
If you haven't seen our group snuggle photos before, you probably don't know story-telling is my way to thank them for their kindness. They love it, and are SO quiet and still you could hear a stitch drop. And THAT IS QUIET... I promise you.
YOU ARE READING
The Talebearer
Short StoryThere are those who tell stories, and those who are talebearers. There are those who are scribes, and write down the tales. When talents like these are combined, it's inspirational... or so these two would have you believe.