A Little-known Aussie, Ted Bear, Esq.

I have no first-hand knowledge (despite holding a secret, sneaking suspicion) that Ted's parentage could be described as questionable - BUT, there IS a tiny label attached to his back stating - 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. Well!!

All I can say is that in all the long years we've known each other, this decidedly delicate question never arose. If it had, Ted and I would have stated clearly, as if with one voice -

"WE are in no doubt - WE ARE AUSTRALIAN"

And just to be absolutely sure of this - check out the photo of Ted in all his glory, rigged out in his Adelaide Crows supporters' gear, watching one of their BIG 'footy' matches with a couple of his friends - also avid fans - Crow Bear and Crowy Stickman. If you listen carefully, you should be able to hear them cheering - "AD-E-LAIDE (clap, clap, clap) AD-E-LAIDE (clap, clap, clap)". Yes?

We met when I was two years old. Ted and I cannot believe that was 63 years ago - it's as clear in our minds and hearts as if it were yesterday.
I christened him 'Ted' - as you would! (especially at that age) - and we began our sharing and caring from the very first night we slept together. Ahh! - the memories!

Didn't we sweat it out one hot Xmas eve, 'bearied' together deep beneath the covers, when we could hear Father Xmas at the foot of our bed, filling our stockings, - as we lay there in mortal fear of the tiniest breath or movement betraying our wakefulness!! Because, everybody knows that if HE finds you awake, all bets are off, and there will be no presents for you this year, no sir - no way! Even all these years later, Ted and I agree that this was one of our 'closest encounters'.

By the way, sweat is not the only moisture Ted contains - he has also absorbed many tears over the years. Some were happy, some hopeful - and then there were the sad and apprehensive and worrisome ones. But Ted has never been judgmental about such emotional 'melt-downs' and has simply absorbed all that came with great composure and quite stoic empathy. I should mention, at this point, that Ted has ALWAYS slept with his eyes open, in order to watch carefully over me and mine."

Some people have found it hard to imagine Ted is really that old. And so we discussed this, and decided I would go looking for some proof. He's such a good-looking guy - even in maturity.

Well, I don't have a picture of our 'love at first sight' moment - but I DO have a photo of my birthday (maybe 4th or 5th?) when Ted and I first sat in our birthday present - our chair.

Look - it's the very same one in the first photo of old Ted and his mates, telling each other 'tall' stories. (Luckily, the chair still fits Ted - but I've been just a 'tad' too tall for it for quite a few years now. (Tall in both directions, actually!)

See! Here is the young Ted and the young Christine, and the brand new chair (Christine is the 'party-pooper' who had to scratch her eye at the very moment of the photo)

The other thing I should probably also do at this stage, is to 'come out of the closet' - and bare one of my deepest secrets.
It's hard - but here goes - I must confess to - being - an -

ARCTOPHILE!

Just a moment! Do not fear. Do not get confused and worried.
You're thinking of pedophiles, maybe?? Oh no - that's definitely not it!
And nor are bibliophiles - who are lovers or collectors of books.
Nor is it an Anglophile (even if he does wear an English label). No, No....it's nothing like these -
an ARCTOPHILE simply loves Teddy Bears!!

He just LOVES to tell stories about the 'Old Days' and his many exploits in this and other States of Australia. From city to country, from suburbia to the bush - he has many a tale to tell. And as you can see, clearly demonstrated here, he ALWAYS has a totally captivated audience. You could hear a pin drop! The younger generation are stunned into silence to hear of his perilous adventures.

Despite his delight in story-telling (and he has been known to embroider the truth, just a little, on occasions) - he's actually extremely modest about some personal happenings. For instance, few know this, but I feel I must share with you that fact that his bravery knows no limits.

A typical demonstration of this courage was after an unprovoked and extremely unwelcome attack by a small person of totally insensitive and even cruel leanings - resulting in the necessity for me to darn a new nose on his face (without anaesthetic).
I was in tears on his behalf...but he soldiered on - saying - "I can bear it if you can" - wow!!
Sometime later, eye replacement surgery was necessary for similar reasons, but Ted declared this to be a 'stroll in the park' this time around!
Personally, I felt quite faint.

Postie Bear is a valued and special friend. Precious letters issue from his Australia Post satchel...from afar, into the hands of Ted and I.
And why are they SO precious?

Well...they come from our grand-daughter, Cirena.....and of course, I share every word with Ted. He has shared nearly as many kisses and cuddles with her as I have. And this would be the very grand-daughter who used to stuff Postie Bear's satchel full with many notes written to all the special 'soft people' who share our home.

Can you just imagine why Postie Bear assumes SUCH importance in our lives? And he usually takes time out from his busy day to share the latest news from our 'golden girl'.

...there's Captain Chas from Tas.

He and Ted found much to discuss and share about life on the ocean wave as opposed to not basically having very well-developed 'sea legs'. But that hasn't stopped them from becoming beary close friends (and I suspect maybe sharing the odd tot of rum along with their tall stories - I swear I've heard some 'shanty' singing VERY late at night, occasionally)

(The 'Tas' referred to above is Tasmania, actually...and Captain Chas came back with us from a holiday there. He was the Captain from 'The Spirit of Adventure' - a fine ferry that once transported holidaymakers and their vehicles back and forth across Bass Strait - a wonderfully romantic trip all on it's own!)

I have had the odd suspicion about the levels in the bottles in our 'Bar'...BUT....can't say I was really ready for this!
Ted getting UNTIDY?? WELL....I never!!

On the other hand, he doesn't drink and drive....or hang out with wild women...or gamble...or raid other bears' honeypots...

SO...guess I'll just continue to love him. What do you think??

Ted is quite the refined old gentleman these days despite experiencing a few health problems, as we all do. He doesn't hold his head quite so high now - and feels the cold a little more keenly each Winter (often needing one of my scarves to provide a little support and a lot of comfort). And his sight is dimming somewhat (hence the 'specs') - and he is not permitted to operate road vehicles any longer.

But, at home, so long as he can keep his bearings, I allow him to drive his antique three-wheeler bike around the Lounge (weather and health permitting), with Postman Bear and Greengrass, (one of my much younger, handmade bears), getting a ride in the trailer. Quite a deal of shouting and hilarity ensue, but I pretend not to notice. This is one of their few opportunities to 'let their hair down', since Ted is a little too Senior to attend Teddy Bear Picnics any longer. He finds them a little too loud and boisterous...and prefers to live with his memories.

One of his lovelier traits, I find, is that he still needs someone older and wiser to talk to at times (don't we ALL?) - and he has no qualms or embarrassment about seeking out his beloved old Gran and Grandpa to share some gentle moments.

There are many of these - some fairly 'tacky', and even in unbearably poor taste, but, they do celebrate and pay tribute to the best friend of the masses -

'HE WHO LISTENS & HELPS ONE TO CRY AND TO HEAL'.

I have some favourite 'bare' necessities:

- my Red Cross biro featuring 'Trauma Teddy'

- my key ring with the essential reminder - 'When in doubt, hug your teddy'

- and a charming tea-towel with many 'beary' wise words and thoughts, like: -

'Teddy Bears Make the Best Friends Because:-
- they never beat you at Scrabble
- they don't interrupt when you're talking

but best of all -

They always love you - just the way you are'

.

Ted has asked me to share his most favourite deeply meaningful quotation before I close:-

A BEAR TEACHES US THAT IF THE HEART IS TRUE
- IT DOESN'T MUCH MATTER IF AN EAR DROPS OFF

'

So, it's Goodbye from Me - and it's Goodbye from Him - and it's Goodbye from his 'daughter' and 'grandies'.