When I was in kindergarten, my teacher, Mrs. Cripes, introduced us to a new friend:  Teddy, the teddy bear. She told us we could each take a turn to bring him home with us during the weekend. I waited patiently for my turn, then finally the day came. I took Teddy with me on the bus and buckled him in tight. “We’re going to have the best weekend ever!” I told him. As soon as we got home, I ran in the front door and yelled, “Momma, we have a guest!” She looked at me, puzzled, and asked, “Who?” I answered quickly, “Teddy!”

“Ah, I see.  Welcome Teddy!” she said and arranged a snack for us as we sat on the couch.  “Now Teddy,” I began, “This is the best show ever. Pay attention,” I said as I put on an episode of Scooby Doo. My mom brought over some carrots and pretzels, which “we” ate while watching a thrilling episode in which Scooby and the gang captured a bad snow monster, who was actually not a monster, but a person instead. It was a great episode, and Teddy loved it too.

Later Teddy and I went on the swings on the playset in my backyard, and it was wonderful to hang out with him. I told him wild stories I made up in my head. I told him a story about the time a pirate saved a mermaid from an evil shark, and I’m sure he loved it. He didn’t tell me otherwise. He fell off the swing once or twice, but the good part about falling down is that you can get right back up (with a little help).  

Next, after dinner, Teddy and I were ready to go to bed. My dad read us a story, and then I put a sleeping beauty nightgown on Teddy, and we were ready to sleep. My dad tucked us in, and I fell fast asleep. I had a horrible nightmare that the snow monster had captured me! I woke up suddenly and turned a light on. “Teddy, I just had the worst dream!” I hugged him and felt immediately better.  I fell back asleep and had no more dreams that night.

In the morning, I read Teddy the comics section of the paper while we ate pancakes.  Later, after watching cartoons, we had a nice picnic in the backyard. I brought my princess chair and umbrella out to keep Teddy cool in the shade. We watched the birds in the trees, and I showed him how to hula-hoop. He didn’t master that skill. Later we played on the playset.  While Teddy couldn’t do the monkey bars, he loved going down the slide.

Finally, Mondy had come. Teddy was going back to school. Before entering the classroom that morning, I pulled him aside. “Teddy, we need to talk. Next weekend, you’ll be going home with another kid. I won’t be able to take you home with me for a while. Don’t worry, I’m sure whoever you go with will love you and care about you the same way I do.” I kissed him on the forehead and carried him inside. It was a bittersweet goodbye. I knew I would always remember my weekend with Teddy.