Teddy, you were there from the beginning.
While life moved inside me,
You appeared underneath nursery theme wrapping.
You were the promise of a child for me to love.
You tagged along to each childbirth class.
I stared in concentration at your eyes dark brown.
I remember your robust roundness;
Soft was the skin sewn on you.
You were a portrayal of the baby I longed to hold.
You witnessed the pain of long labor,
But also shared the joy of the birth of my firstborn.
You sat beside my baby in her crib,
Keeping watch those long nights and tiresome days.
My baby soiled your skin several times
As she cooed at your cute, chubby face.
Through washings you hold up well.
While more life moved inside me,
My little darling spoke your two-syllable name.
When my second child arrived,
My first toddled you around.
My new baby had her own teddy, too.
Soon you were invited to little girls’ tea parties and storytime.
I remember you learning your alphabets
As your “teacher” sang with precision.
You sit on the window seat of my “baby’s” room now.
He too has loved on you as the others.
When the dimples have left his hands,
And he’s onto playing baseball and soccer,
who will love you?  I will.
You will forever be dear in my heart.
You’ve been there from the beginning of my motherhood,
A promise of a child to love … children … grandchildren …
And there will be others.