One Christmas season many years ago when our daughters were very tiny we were browsing the Apple Valley Country Store in Townsend, TN (located west of Pigeon Forge across Wears Valley) when we came across the little brown bear below.
At the time, our daughters were only 2 and 4 years old. This little guy attracted DD#1’s like a moth to a flame. This is what she wanted to get her daddy for Christmas. Finances were tight. DH lost his job due to cutbacks. I didn’t know how we would make ends meet let alone buy Christmas presents that year. I tried explaining to this tiny person our situation and the moment I said, No, we can’t take the bear home because mommy doesn’t have the money, I saw the pain in her eyes through crocodile tears spilling onto her cheeks. It wasn’t a tantrum. She was genuinely crushed that she couldn’t give it to her daddy and to give the little bear a home. I crumbled and put the charge on my nearly maxed credit card. We decided on the name Christmas bear or Chris for short.
Fast forward…the year 2001. I was in the hospital. DH and my three little darlings, who were quickly growing up, brought flowers and the small blonde bear to me. We named my bear, but her name escapes me. Anyhow, I placed the two bears together because they remind me of sweethearts and they still sit together to this day in their special place.
I often think back on a little girl wanting to buy this toy for her daddy and I’m happy I took the risk, considering our circumstances, to place a smile on her little face. This sweet memory is always with me and brings great joy every time I see Chris snuggled with his sweetheart happily in our bedroom.
~Images captured with Nikon D7000 & Nikkor 105mm micro lens. ~
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