There’s an image floating around the various social networks about a teddy bear fighting a nightmare off with a wooden sword. It’s very endearing and perhaps one of my favourite illustrations right now. [UPDATE: It’s HERE!!! http://begemott.deviantart.com/art/sweet-halloween-dreams-42197587]
It reminds me of when I was a kid. I wasn’t one of those normal kids who just had an imaginary friend like Drop Dead Fred. No, I had an entire neighbourhood of imaginary friends. A lot of them I also named after characters from Star trek: TNG. Don’t ask, not telling.
Within my neighbourhood of imaginary friends, I always felt safe. There was always someone else to talk to/play with, and they always had different ideas. One of them had to be a guardian angel, because I’m not really sure how else I survived childhood.
The teddy bear image made me think about them, and wonder if they chased the nightmares away for me. I also think my fuzzies do the same. Yin often cuddles with me until I fall asleep. I’ve also always had my stuffed animals, and my collection of dragons around for similar reasons. Kind of like the gargoyle superstitions (I have a lot of those, too).
Anyway, I hope this brings back fond memories of imaginary friends, pets, and stuffed animals. May we all sleep better at night because of them.
Em, your imaginery friend that was my favorite was the pink alligator that lived in a neighborhood tree! LOL Love Mom
LOL! I remember vaguely correcting people that it was an alligator and not a crocodile, too. I’m so silly. Love you!