100 year oldTeddy bear -how it came to our family by kimariehere
Open full image in new tab Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
Back from my trip. While visiting my Mother, I took my old cam out and shot this teddy bear.
It is a family treasure. I belive that the teddy bear is an original teddy Roosevelt bear around 100 years old.
I wished I had my Nikon to take it but my Kodak 33o had to do.
This is a special bear here.
This is the story of how it came to be a part of my family.
When my Mother was little during the war years (early 1940s)
She was beddridden in leg braces.
She could hear the other children play outside.and was lonely.
A friend of my Grandmother's came over and saw her.
So pretty with strawberry blonde hair in curls.
She felt sad for her and gave her the bear to play with . To borrow for a time.
But said that it was old and special and that she would someday come back for it
My Mother grew to love the bear and dreaded the Ladys return.
The next year the Lady came back for the bear.
By that time it was my Mother best friend and so dear to her heart.
So when it was time, she hid with the bear. and cried afraid of it going away.
My grandmother apoligized and said that she couldnt find my mother or the bear.
and so the lady came back later.
My mother found a better place to hide.
She would cry holding the bear tightly afraid of being found.
After that each year the lady would come back and ask for the bear.
And each time my mother hid deeper in a closet or somewhere where her and her
dear bear friend could not be found.
After about five years of this . The lady gave in .
My Grandmother explained how much she loved the Teddy.
I found the bear in my late 20s .IT was still in hiding.
Under a bed in a big white bag with a ribbon around it
. and was suprised to find such a relic.
I could see its insides comming out of its ear.
The stuffing was made of straw.
and the straw stuck out of its head where the ear had been chewed.
My Moms teenage Dog -her German shepard had discovered the bear and liked it to. To chew on..
There were red chordory pads on its paws where it had been patched up.
That my Granmother had long ago loving sewn on.
SO I took this pic yesterday
and so I am entering it for this months
challenge Antiques/ Nostolgia.
ITs very dear to My Mother still and me. :O)
I did some postwork on it to try to make up for the old cam.
IT wears a hat because of the damaged ear.
I wonder what child had it 100 years ago.
I wonder who else loved it.
Have a great day or night there
I cannot wait to catch up tommorrow and see what I have missed on here!
love ya all!
♥
~Kimmers!

Comments (58)
awwwwwweeeee... a collectable at 100 but more a treasured heirloom & fine portrait of dear mum's teddy :]
Excellent story sis and what a great treasure this teddy is Saw oncologist and radiologst not good news radiation every day for 8 wks:( think I am gonna be sick need to get off the computer been there at cancer center all day so tired Vote n hugs sis Susan~
lovely ! fantastic shot and story !
wish i looked this good at 100:)
Lovely 'Teddy' and story. Thought you might like to read this:- http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/kidscorner/tr_teddy.htm
beautiful story and bear
Lovely story. It is a venerably cute teddy bear. Really a family jewell.
oh my, how lovely. a heartbreaking Teddy. i love Teddies and i have two of them but not so old.thanks for that smile,Kim. * VOTE * #:O)
Beautiful story and teddy ... a family heirloom. I love your postwork on this Kimmers!
Fascinatin story Kim, I see these bears on tv in the Sotheby antique shows, they are really collectors joys. Some cost lots of money, I love the way you sat him up with the hat, he is so cute, lovly sweet foto. V* Lina
Your stories are always a pleasure to read, and this one is no exception. How could your mother give up this little guy...can't blame her a bit..wonderful capture, he still looks non less for the wear...Aloha!
This brought back a kind of sad and yet not so sad moment my sister passed away a few years ago and she had a whole bunch of teddy bears in her room and yes she talked to them lol: she was a funny one !! love this alot !!(waaaaaaaaaa)
Oh my....isn't he cute!!! Love the light and shine, really makes him come alive, despite his age. What a treasure!
Awww, ain't he cute? Wonderful image and story - thanks!
A good memory! Beautiful history of childhood! Splendid photograph!:O)))
He looks so disappointed... Will your daughter help him to feel better. Nice shot, hope he will stay with you for the next 100 years.
Lovely sentimental story Kimmie and I am sure the bear is well loved. It looks in wonderful condition and a super subject for a photo V Cathy xoxox
Excellent Kimmie! What a beautiful story.
Beautiful shot and a wonderful story ! I love all Teddy bears.... and even if I'm 40 years old... I've always got some small friends like this one everywhere, and one of them, a sweet Teddy sleep with me since Giancarlo, my big and loved real Bear passed. It's always important to have tenderness... ;-))) Thank you to share this with us Kimmie ! Have a nice night.
Wonderful story and what an adorable little bear!! :-) I love it and I've just met it!! :-)) I don't blame your mom for hiding away with it.. Excellent entry!! :-)
so cute
touching story, Kimmers, and what a wonderful shot! Amazing what wonderful condition that bear is in. You can see your mom treasured it! it's so well taken care of! fantastic capture! looks great against the blue background!
Bravo Mum...I wouldn't have given the bear back either...Bears are for LIFE not just for a short time :). This image is beautiful, and it reminds me of my own childhood, which is regrettably too far away for my liking. Photographers I always imagine the best ones being able to capture not just an image, but the sentiment, feelings, mood and emotions as well. People who can snatch these as well as the image and pin them down, make the best photographers. Sadly scant few can do this...you my dear can...you are very gifted, fabulous stuff.
Excellent.
He is gorgeaous.. I hope I can look that good when I get that age... Beautiful shot!
Having collected teddy bears for a number of years, as my business was called Grizzly Hill Cottage Graphic Design and placed them all over the office. I have to admit, I which I still had my original one. It was a Steiff Teddy bear from Germany. So looking at this one in such perfect condition, I marvel at your beautiful treasure, especially how masterful and professional you have made the setting and photographed such a beautiful teddy.
looks very sad ;-( but he's very cute bear !!!
Oh, such vibrant colors! You are one colorful lady! :0)