Upon reading a heartwarming tale about a little boy who lost his cherished stuffed tiger, Hobbes, while traveling, I couldn’t help but think of my daughter, Iris, and her deep-rooted affection for her own plush companion, a security blanket she lovingly calls Fluffy Bear.
Fluffy Bear is neither a conventional teddy nor just a simple blanket; she’s a soft, tattered square of fabric with a stuffed bear’s head on one corner. Small enough to be hugged tightly, many parents refer to such items as “lovies.” Iris named hers Fluffy Bear as soon as she could talk, and since her birth, Fluffy has been her nighttime companion. Now nearly 8 years old, Iris still clings to her beloved bear.
I have to admit, Fluffy Bear can be quite elusive. Countless nights have turned into mini crises as we scramble to locate her before bedtime. Picture the scene: Iris, red-faced and tear-streaked, searching high and low, while the whole family leaps into action. Is Fluffy buried under the couch? I bark orders like a drill sergeant, directing my family in a frantic hunt. Could she be hiding in the attic or misplaced on a random bookshelf? Let’s not forget the possibility of her being wedged between Iris’s mattress and the bedframe or even trapped behind the television!
The urgency is real—where on earth is Fluffy Bear?!
Whenever new babysitters come over, I ensure they understand the significance of this worn piece of fabric. I emphasize that for a peaceful evening, Fluffy Bear must be treated with utmost care, like the vital evidence in a high-stakes trial. Losing her is simply not an option!
As Iris has grown, her attachment to Fluffy remains strong, though she’s become aware of how “childish” it seems to her peers. Reluctantly, she now leaves Fluffy Bear on her pillow, which has notably reduced our household chaos, allowing us to limit our search to her 13-by-14-foot room. Not that Fluffy adheres to the rules; we often find her lounging on the window bench or sprawled across the floor.
However, Fluffy Bear managed one last great escape just before these new rules kicked in. Much like little Owen Lake from Tampa, Florida, who left his favorite toy at the airport, our incident occurred during a family trip.
Living in Los Angeles at the time, we decided to drive to San Francisco for spring break. For a special treat, we checked into the stunning Fairmont Hotel on historic Nob Hill.
On our first morning, after a refreshing night’s sleep, we were ready to explore the vibrant city. Like many hotel guests, we left the beds unmade, and Fluffy Bear, who Iris insisted on bringing along, was nestled among the crumpled sheets. Upon our return later that day, however, Fluffy Bear was nowhere to be found.
We scoured every corner, our panic escalating. Iris was on the verge of hyperventilating. I rushed to call the concierge, who suggested I reach out to the laundry department. The odds were not in our favor. “We handle thousands of pounds of linens each week. If Fluffy Bear got mixed up with the sheets, I’m sorry to say, it might be a long shot to find her!”
Iris was heartbroken. She bravely tried to enjoy our holiday, sightseeing at Alcatraz and snapping selfies at the Golden Gate Bridge, but each night, she quietly wept into her lonely pillow, missing her best friend. A few days later, we packed the minivan and returned home, Fluffy-less.
Once back, Iris was understandably downcast. But then came a phone call about a week later.
“Fantastic news!” the concierge exclaimed, as thrilled as I was. “The staff felt terrible for mistakenly taking Fluffy Bear. They searched high and low and just found her! She was indeed mixed in with the linens!”
Considering my own disorganization with laundry, I was amazed at the dedication of those hotel employees. They must’ve worked tirelessly to locate Iris’s white lovey, camouflaged among the bedding.
“Please tell Iris that we’re sending Fluffy Bear on a little adventure today,” the concierge continued. “She’ll be flying FedEx and should arrive at your home first thing tomorrow morning. She’s had quite a scare, but she’ll be back with you soon!”
When Iris heard the news, her joy was palpable—like Christmas and her birthday all rolled into one. She squealed and danced with excitement, the happiest I’d seen her in ages.
The next day, when the sturdy white box arrived, we opened it to reveal Fluffy Bear looking as cheerful as ever. Iris burst into tears at their reunion, embracing her beloved friend as if she’d never let go.
But, just a few hours later, as bedtime approached, I heard Iris’s familiar voice echoing from upstairs: “Fluffy? Fluffy? Oh no! Where did that Fluffy Bear go?”
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In summary, this heartwarming account captures the emotional rollercoaster of losing and finding a beloved childhood item. It highlights the unique bonds children form with their toys, while also emphasizing the lengths parents will go to restore their child’s happiness.