Something happened today that made me feel like writing.......so I thought I’d take a detour and tell you a story. It’s about the bond between two brothers, and a dog called Kenny.
Jed has always been my Little One, the happy little accident who came along to make my family complete. When he was born, Josh was nine and Nick was going on six.
You’ve never seen a prospective big brother as excited as Josh was. He thought of names for our baby – Hercules for a boy, and Rapunzel for a girl....luckily for Jed, his parents had a bit more say in things lol. Josh even brought me in for show-and-tell at school! Ever loyal to his mum, he got into a dust-up at school because some boy taunted him by commenting on how fat I was.....mmmmm....yes, I was pretty round at the time. He lived and breathed the impending arrival of the new baby.....
So the day came that Josh had waited for so very long. I’ll never forget the way he held Jed for the first time.....the look of adoration on his face as he gazed down at the baby brother he cradled in his arms.
Mum and Dad had come down from Queensland to look after the two big boys while I was in hospital. Mum had taken the boys shopping, and let them pick out a soft toy each for the new baby. Josh chose a little stuffed dog he named Kenny, and introduced him to Jed on that very first day of his life. If you look closely in this old scanned photo, you’ll see Kenny.....
Kenny has been a constant in our home ever since. Josh continued to dote on Jed, and Kenny was never far away. He’s always been a feature somewhere in Little One’s bedroom...... and he often found himself shoved in Jed’s bag whenever we were going somewhere. Occasionally he came out to play, and did the most amazing gymnastics tricks. He even "spoke" occasionally to ask for a treat for Jed.....he’s like one of the family. I’ve noticed that these days, when Jed has a friend over, Kenny will temporarily disappear into the cupboard, and come back out again when the friend has gone. I’ve often wondered if Kenny would one day find himself packed in the suitcase to join Jed on his honeymoon lol.
Josh has been the best big brother a boy could ever want. To this day, he is Jed’s buddy, playmate, protector, consoler and teacher (though there were some things I wish he hadn’t been so keen to share....Jed knows a little bit too much for his age..... :-o). It warms my heart to see these two together, separated by age and now miles, but the bond they have is so special.....and whenever I see Kenny, I'm reminded of how close they are.
Jed is going to be 12 in a few months, and he’s now two inches taller than me.....my Little One isn’t so little anymore! When we were moving, I sat him down and announced that it was time to let go of all the toys. There was an immediate protest, but when I told him he could sell them at the garage sales and keep the money, he was all for it!! He didn’t play with them anymore, and it was a blessed relief to say finally say goodbye to toys. To say I was over them was an understatement. So they all went, except for Kenny of course....
This morning I was making Jed’s bed (yes, I know.....he should be doing it himself...) . Last part of the bed-making exercise is placing Kenny on the pillow.
"Where's Kenny? I asked.
"Don't know", came the reply.
"Oh no, well we'll have to look for him".
"Mum.....he's only a stuffed toy you know".
I was a little taken aback. Mmmmm :-), it seems my Little One is growing up faster than I realised. Poor Kenny.....he's in the bottom of the cupboard looking a bit indignant, but I don't believe he's really been eliminated.....just put to the side while Jed continues to grow into a teenager, and then a young man.
Funny how little incidents can have such an impact. It's made me nostalgic all day.....and also very aware of how small things can mean so much.
This little toy that has been around for the last twelve years may be put away for now, but I have a feeling that one day when Jed cradles his own child in his arms, Kenny will be brought out of hiding.......
What a lovely story about Kenny and what handsome boys . I have a 13 yo boy they grow too quickly .
Posted by: clare bower | October 14, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Leanne boo hoo!! what a Lovely story...Gorgeous pic of your Boys.
cheers
maree
Posted by: maree | October 15, 2008 at 09:07 AM
My Prince turned 13 yesterday and although he is not letting go of his toys yet (he is autistic) I know the day will come when I will have to let go of him; and I pray I will be ready for when he is ready to let go of me. Hopefully that will come first...oh, growing up is so hard , on us Mom's! LOL! Thanks for sharing your story, I want to be a brave mom , like you...I think I would have cried for poor Kenny! I'm such a weenie!
Posted by: Brenda Mercado | October 15, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Loved reading your story. When my son, Michael, left home one of the first things packed was Mr Lynch, a bear he received for a christening present. Michael is now 26, and living with the love of his life (Peta) and Mr Lynch.
Posted by: lynda | October 15, 2008 at 01:36 PM
What A heart warming story your boys are gorgeous I thimk you need to put Kenny somewhere safe untill the grand children come along you will need him again.
Hugs Mary.
Posted by: Mary Wood | October 15, 2008 at 07:48 PM
Hey Leanne! I had a version of 'Kenny' growing up. My stuffed toy was a home-made, brown coruroy sausage dog that was bought from a street stall when I was just a bub. His name is Sam and Sam went on ALL my adventures with me! He is missing most of his tail because it got caught in the car door on a family trip to Alice Springs when I was 6, he has some band-aid-shaped bald spots where he and I got our shots at the same time and he was always the first thing packed in my kindy port when I 'ran away from home'. Today, his neck is a little floppy, his stuffing has settled and he still has a stumpy tail, but he now presides over the bears and dolls in our spare room and was the star of a photo shoot for Australian Bear Creations last year. He may be old, but he's still got it!! Tee! Hee! Hee! I'm sure Kenny will age just as gracefully in such a loving home! Bear Hugs! KRIS (Tag Along Teddies)
Posted by: Kris Meares (Tag Along Teddies) | October 16, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Thanks for sharing a lovely story.......
Posted by: Jo from the farm | October 16, 2008 at 07:18 PM
Hi Annie,
Something similar happened to my boy when he was that age, but you know what?? When he needed to have an operation at 17, his old monkey had to go to the theater with him!!!
Love,
Nel
Posted by: Nel | October 17, 2008 at 11:47 AM
My babies are all 23 and over! And yet, each one has one of their favorite little friends! Our only son included! I sent it home with him/his wife one of the last visits they made and she thought it was really cute! Someday... hopefully in the not to distant future, they too will want to share the little cuddly friend with their little one!
I hopped over from Lynette Anderson's blog!
Posted by: Jean C. | November 25, 2008 at 05:20 AM