What is Your “Zippy”?
My friend, Rob Sanders's dad, Richard E. Sanders, wrote an incredible story titled "The Recycler" about his favorite and most memorable toy as a child growing up. His story is about his "Zippy," a stuffed Chimpanzee with a banana in one hand, and it quickly reminded me of my very first teddy bear that I got from "Santa" for my very first Christmas on Earth.
By the time Rob finished his introduction and before he started reading from the old weathered sheet of paper containing the original handwritten copy of "The Recycler", my mind was already traveling into my childhood to my own "Zippy".
My "Zippy" was a "teddy bear" named Timmy, a.k.a "First Christmas". I loved that teddy bear so much; I slept with it, carried it around everywhere I went, and kept it for years. My mom said I snuggled that teddy bear and cuddled him so much that he was completely bald on one side. Years passed quickly, and Timmy's "little girl" grew up. He stayed home when I went away to college, which was a mistake. While I was away as a freshman at M.T.S.U., one of my dogs back home put a hole in his side, but I quickly fixed him up with a couple of Band-Aids placed over his wound. He healed well as all good, tough Teddy bears do, but when I returned home again for the summer, he had "apparently moved down into the basement" and, tragically, hasn't been seen since! Maybe Timmy went to find a child in need, as all special toys do. But, sadly, I have no idea where he is. But wherever he is, I'm sure he's giving wonderful, loving hugs to a child who needs him. I still miss his fuzzy body and somewhat tattered nose, and the large tooth hole on his side, with Band-Aids forming an X over it.
I eventually replaced toys with pets. My dogs became my brothers or sisters, children, and best friends. My dogs, Minnie and Bear, comfort me when I'm sad or alone, remind me to laugh and play, teach me how to love unconditionally, and remind me to be responsible and loyal, dependable and dedicated, protective and strong. But, you will still find a teddy bear or stuffed animals snuggled closely in bed, or in my backpack, or in my tent with Minnie and me. "Timmy," my teddy bear, my very first Christmas present, left an indelible mark on my heart that first Christmas!
Ok, I have "bared" my soul about teddy bears.
Who is your Zippy or Timmy? Please share your story about your special toys with me.
Hopefully, sharing my story of Timmy will reach deeply into your memory and pull your own "Zippy" or "Timmy" out of the basement of your memory again.
Your friend,
Dolphin Riggs
