Kev, It was a stuffed bear at a recovery week end that caused my first "break through" in my healing. We had been given a break and I walked back up to the main room. Teddy bears had been left around the room and I had seen other guys holding them...didn't have the courage to hold one myself. Only one guy was around and he wasn't looking, so I picked one up just to see what it felt like. I picked up the one that looked the softest and most cuddly. Immediately something changed inside of me. I went over to the side of the room and literally collapsed on a mat and cried my eyes out clutching the bear to my chest. It was the first time I had ever allowed myself to really cry about my abuse,and put me in touch with a hurt little boy I had never known. I'll never forget that bear....ever.

Bobby

Bobby, Tears here while reading about you holding the bear. Thank-you for sharing that.

Roadrunner--Thanks from me for digging up this thread. It helped a lot just to sit here and read the posts. Did anybody ever tell you what a great person you are?

I am going to have me a bear before this day is out!

Love you all,

John

John,

GET THAT BEAR!!!! I am still thinking of a name for my new stuffed dog.

Much love,
Larry


(I HATE those typos - I always make the worst ones possible... )

Kev, and any body else who cares

I have stuffed animals, lots of'em. My favorite three are the bright orange orangutan, a big brown monkey with a long tail and a gray donkey. I take them camping with me and hang them in trees even the donkey. Even if donkeys can't climb trees, he can when he is with his friends the monkey and the orangutan. He has good friends. People ask me why the donkey is in the tree. I give some lame excuse. I don't tell them the real reason. In fact this is the first time I have told anyone.

You see Kev, I am that donkey and I can do anything when I have the right friends. Every one here is that kind of friend and I am learning that for me God can be that kind of a friend also.

Hang in there

Darrel

OK now, guys. I got me a bear. Well, I got me a Lion. He's soft and cuddly and I've named him Tut.

I looked up the meaning on a baby names website. It says it means "Strong, Courageous". Well, those traits are the kind of traits I have as goals in my life. I imagine there is some of that there. I wish there was more. I have chosen Tut to represent those traits to me.

Silly? Perhaps, but meaningful as well.

I am going to post a picture of him in the Images forum, just cause I want to. I think he's really cool looking.

Silly? Perhaps, but fun.

Thanks guys for sharing your stuffed animals with us.

John

John,

Silly? No way bro. Things that bring us comfort in times of pain and hurt are never silly. When we reach out for comfort like that all we are doing is acknowledging our humanity and reclaiming our right to our vulnerability and feelings.

Fun? Absolutely! I'm still trying to think of a name for my new stuffed dog, and I'm having a ball.

I love the photo of Tut!!! What a cool fuzzy friend!

Much love,
Larry

Alexander,

There is indeed a thread on the members side about stuffed animals, but you might like looking at this one as well.

Much love,
Larry

My avatar is a picture of my bear. I named him "Little D". He's been there for me since I got him. He needs a bath, though... too many tears matted his fur.

I'm so glad I found this thread. I makes me feel so much better to know I'm not the only one.
You guys may not know this, but I am notorious for picking up things that others have thrown out. Consequently, I have boxes and bags full of stuffed animals. Originaly, the plan was to sell them at the flea market. But you know what? I cannot bear to let them go. I'm thinking seriously about taking them with me to the WOR in Utah. I'll just pile them in the car with me and away we'll go. ( I will share )
My favorites though are the monkeys that my roomie gave me. I love monkeys and she always gives me one when I'm really down. The best is the one that screeches and shakes his arms and legs.
I have a giant purple monkey that sits on my bookshelf and watches me while I sleep. Sometimes he gets to sleep with me and its such a comfort.
Stuffed Animals Rule!!!

Amen! mack...i got my "Buzzy Bear" about a month and a half ago.
I sleep holding him every night. He IS my tangible link to Buzzy. I love him and he comforts me greatly.

I will be taking him with me to the Mike Lew retreat in PA in August.