Larry
on Sep 29 in General by DanMy childhood was filled with many toys. Lego, Star Wars figures, and die-cast cars all graced my bedroom shelves. But one stood out above all the rest. Larry the stuffed sheep.
I was given Larry by a friend of my mum’s when I was a couple of months old, and he has stayed with me until this day. Granted he’s been living on top of the wardrobe for the past fifteen years or so, but for the first half of my life he had a vital role as my comforter, my confidante, and perhaps most importantly, my pillow.
I happened to mention Larry to Amy on the walk home from school, and she asked if she could have him now that I was a grown up. This struck me as a lovely idea, and so this evening I clambered up the wardrobe and brought him down from his retirement home (oh, and I broke the wardrobe door in the process. Sorry Kerry).
Amy was very enthusiastic about receiving this beloved family heirloom. Enthusiastic that is until she took a sniff at it.
“Urrrggg, it stinks!” she exclaimed disgustedly.
And to be fair she’s right. A stuffed sheep can only be used as a pillow for so long before it gets ingrained with an oily stench that even the most industrial of washing machines can’t shift.
“Evan can have it instead” she decided graciously, and shoved it into her brother’s arms.
Thankfully Evan’s olfactory sensibilities aren’t as refined as his sister’s, and he and Larry quickly bonded in front of an episode of Backyardigans. He even took him to bed with him. And while he didn’t use him as a pillow, choosing instead to lull himself to sleep by chewing on the poor sheep’s nose, there was something incredibly heartwarming about seeing my son cuddled up with the constant companion of my own childhood.
And although was dark, I’m pretty sure I saw the faintest glint of happiness in Larry’s eyes too.
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What a jolly nice post.
However I fear if I ever gave my son my Love-a-lot Carebear, that my story wouldn’t quite have the same tone.
SingleParentDads last blog post..You Are The Greatest
Great Shot and great story… Girls!!!
Sometimes they just don’t get it!
:)
I still have a green pig in the garage… somewhere!
Jeff Ss last blog post..Time for Good Thoughts!!!
I think I can see that glint too! By the way, how old are you Dan? If Larry has only been on the shelf for 15 years, that must mean your friendship with him lasted well into young adulthood. Did you take him to parties? Is that why he smells? Just wondering.
Jamess last blog post.."Looks Like We Have a Jumper!"
Oh yes, Star Wars figures in our childhood. Well, and vehicles. I remember zooming around my parents’ front garden with my X-Wing & Snowspeeder as a wee nipper.
Wait, I think I left Chewie under my Dad’s geraniums. Bugger. I wonder if he’s still there?
Kevin Spencers last blog post..So, North Carolina Then
Awwwwww. That is a very sweet story.
No way am I giving either of my girls my toys. Nuh uh. They’re MINE!
Great photo!!! It may be stinky, but it’s an heirloom nonetheless. I’m sure he’ll have great memories of Larry when he’s older too. But perhaps some Febreeze spray will make it a more enjoyable experience.
SPD had a care bear?!! (Sorry, I got distracted by that!)
The picture is gorgeous Dan!
Most of my cuddlies (as we called them when we were kids) didn’t survive the fact that my parents got us a labrador when I was 6. I have a few 3 legged, 1 eared stuffed animals left.
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SingleParentDad – Your a Care Bear man eh? I prefer the Get-allong-gang myself.
Jeff S – Perhaps we should have a blogger’s stuffed toy amnesty where we all exhibit our childhood treasures.
James – I’m 32. Larry was my pillow probably until I went to University. He was just so damn comfy.
Kevin – I burried a Lando Calrisian in the foundations of a shed my dad was building. I bet he’s still there.
Deb – I though Gre told me he threw them away last week.
VegasDad – I didn’t think of febreeze, I might give it a go.
Penelope – Perhaps you should have stuffed the Labrador and kept that instead.
I blame Lee for making me immediately think of ‘the internet’ when reading ‘Larry’. I’ve got plenty of stuffed critters in the attic of my parents’ place. The biggest is enormous stuffed tyrannosaurus rex.
I wanted to suggest you at least try the washing machine..but febreze might do the job better :P
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I’m sure I’ve got some stuffed animals somewhere I doubt my kids would appreciate any of them the way Evan has adopted Larry. That’s a great shot.
Ed (zoesdad)s last blog post..I Want To…..
I remember Larry. I think it stunk even back then (or was that you?)
I had a small brown bear for some time, but aside from that – I think I spent most of my childhood destroying / losing star wars hand-me-downs.
Ahhh that is so lovely Dan, and Evan looks adorable with your stinky sheep. Miss E asked for my old baby doll last year so I pulled her out the roof and washed her and her legs fell off, so erm, be careful. :D
Jo Beaufoixs last blog post..WikiHow makes friends
Is it possible to give Larry a bath? I don’t know anything about stuffed animals since the only toy I ever had as a child was an empty soup can.
Jeffs last blog post..Closure
Arjan – I must admit Lee’s cousin Larry did cross my mind too
Ed – I’m not convinced he’s going to take to him in any permanent fashion, but it’s nice while it lasts
Sam – You still owe me for those Star Wars figures.
Jo – I’ve looked him over and he seems pretty structurally sound.
Jeff – He’s had several baths and trips in the washing machine, but I fear the stench is in his very DNA by now.