A Trusted Friend

A Trusted Friend

You were so young, the first time you took me to bed.  It was the same day we met, your eyes bright and alive, your smile innocent joy, your embrace infectious and warm.  I was not the first, or the last that you slept with, crowded at times on your pillows, under your covers, around your room; yet I never felt competition for your affection.  You would hold me tight, kiss my ears, rub my tummy and roll over on me in your sleep, but even that, I did not mind.  

You always gave of yourself while never asking anything of me but to be there for you.  You had me on your bed, on your window seat, on your dresser and even a few times in your closet.  You took me exploring every room of your house and tucked me away in your room.  You wanted me and that alone warmed and thrilled me.  You cried with me, laughed with me, tickle my nose and stroke my feet.

In winter, your flannel pajamas were soft and warm against me.  In summer I could hear your hear beat through your cotton gown.  You would dress me up and change my clothes and play make believe but usually kept me in nothing at all. I got dirty with you, sticky from your hands face and we had such a good time.  Your mother did not like when we got that way and she showed you how to clean me right.

Your brother laughed when you took me to meet your grandmother and you became self conscious of me, that should would not approve of me and and what I was to you.  Your fears were dashed away by a greeting of a kiss on my cheek.  She tried to rub her lipstick away, but you told her not to worry - told her I liked it and so I did.  I was glad you did not abandon me.

You told me about your new friend who was very special to you, and thus very special to me.  You told me when he made you happy and when he made you sad, he brought you joy and tears and gladness and sorrow.  You did not have to tell me you loved him, but you did.  I saw it in the changes that came over you, how he filled your life and how tightly you held me at night with your confessions.

You brought him to meet me, which was nice.  If I could have smiled, I would.  He asked me your secrets, but I would not breath a word.  He tried tickling them out of me, teasing them out of me, kissing them out of me, but I kept your secrets safe.  You hold him and he holds you back the way I never could.  You kiss him and he kisses you the way I never could.  I love you with every fiber of my being, but he gave you his heart.

I still remember the day you lay me in the box, shedding a little tear, but you smiled, kissed your fingers and touched them to the stitches on my face.  I knew it was time for you to move on.  You had everyone you needed then and I was not a part of the new you you became.

I could not know how long it was before by box was opened once more and I was brought back to that day we first met.  It could have been you smiling at me so warmly, so freely, but I knew it was not.  My tag was faded and my fur was faded and I probably needed a restitch or two, but none of that mattered to your daughter any more than it mattered to me.

I will be her trusted friend just as you were mine.