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THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024
JOHNSTON SUN RISE
RHODYBEAT.COM
The Enduring Appeal of Stuffies The usual style of my columns it in front of the Rhode Island State is snarky sarcasm or social satire. House. My husband had one of his This month’s essay is more relatives bring it on a visit home to b y E L A I N E M . D E C K E R India. I’m quite sure that owl travwhimsical. As with many of my others, it was ineled farther than most stuffies. Respired by items in the cently a teddy bear was left on a news and then acquired plane. The pilot took him into the a life of its own. cockpit until his owner was located. I doubt that bear made Many local libraries are hosting fun events it beyond Europe. for children in their communities: sleepovers for A favorite childhood stuffed toy that I do remember their cherished stuffed animals. The child brings was Zippy the Chimp. He was a live chimpanzee on the the stuffy to the library and leaves it overnight. Howdy Doody Show in the 1950’s. He even appeared on the The library takes pictures of all the toys together Ed Sullivan Show several times. I received him from Santa and when they’re picked up by their owners the next Claus and I loved him. Zippy eventually found his way to day, they go home with a photo documenting their live with my nephew Barry in Vermont. Barry had visited adventure. No word on whether they have to arrive my parents’ home in New Jersey and refused to part with the with pajamas. chimp when it was time to go home. I was in college by that Most of us assume that sleeping with a favorite then and was happy to have Zippy start a new life. It turned teddy bear must end once we become “grown ups.” It out to be quite an eventful one in Vermont. turns out science has a different opinion about this. Barry dragged Zippy everywhere, to the point where Recent studies suggest that adults would actually his clothes were in tatters. I remember my sister Barbara benefit by cuddling with a stuffed toy in bed at telling me that she finally took Zippy to a local department night. Apparently, this helps you relax. I’d try store to buy him new overalls in the toddlers department. it, but I already have two cats that sleep with She received some strange looks from other shoppers as me. I doubt they’d move out of the way to she held each pair up to the worn out stuffed chimp to see make room for a stuffed animal. My husif they would fit him. They were all too long; Zippy had band has learned to give way to the cats. I stubby legs. But she just rolled the pants up a few times and think he’d draw the line at a stuffy. pronounced the shopping trip a success. Barry was thrilled, This reminds me that I never because they were bright red, just like his original pants. had a teddy bear as a child. Barbara might have been tasked with Zippy’s clothing Now I have a collection, replacement, but her husband Bob was required to handle and one of my cats his medical work. Bob was an ophthalmologist who often steals them when she performed eye surgery. Poor Zippy was dragged around so “hunts” at night. I much that one of his plastic hands eventually started to sephad a few dolls, just arate from his fabric arm. One day Barry brought him to his no bears. I also had father to have surgery to repair him. Bob originally planned two large stuffed donto use regular sewing thread but Barry would have none of keys when I was in high that. Zippy’s surgery had to be done with medical grade suschool. I have no recollection of how they ture thread. And so it was. The things we do for love! came into my possession. I do remember taking picIndeed, love is what best explains the enduring appeal tures of them to put in the school newspaper to proof stuffies. I hope this essay has stirred up some memories mote a special event. Our faculty played our seniors of your own favorite stuffed toys! in donkey basketball. You read that correctly: donkey Copyright 2024 Business Theatre Unlimited basketball. I don’t remember who won. Elaine M. Decker’s books include Retirement Downsizing—A HuSome grade schools have students send stuffed morous Guide, Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again, Remascots to family and friends, asking them to document tirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays the mascot’s travels. The goal is to have it go around the appear in the anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and world. My brother Rick’s daughter Jennifer sent me the owl 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. All are available on Amazon. Pueo from her Punahou School in Hawaii. I took pictures of com. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com
RETIREMENT SPARKS