Okay, I'll take a stab at this.
Sitting here before you is an old friend of mine, Teddy Bear. Teddy has been with me for close to thirty six years now. Not many people can say they have a friend for that long. Looking at Teddy today we see his cracked face, spots where the fur has been hugged off, the stitches where repairs were made, and little seam that use to hold his music box. One look at Teddy and you know this bear has been well loved and taken care of.
When Teddy was new to the world, he was a dark brown bear with bright brown eyes, and big smiling face. His red tongue always looked like he had just taken a lick of a cherry ice. I first met Teddy when he was a resident of a family friend’s bed, named Dot. He proudly sat there and watched over her room, being a gift from one of her close friends, namely my grandmother. However, Teddy soon captured my attention on a visit to her home one summer. Dot saw how captivated I was with Teddy, wound his music box, and handed him over to me to hold. As simple as that a close friendship was born. When the time came to leave and head home, Dot sent Teddy home with me. When my grandmother learned I had Teddy she only laughed and shook her head.
Teddy Bear spent many years at my side. He was my constant companion and confident. He knew all my secrets and desires. Being the sort of bear he is he has never told a soul. Over the years his thick brown fur grew thin and was hugged off and he became a bare bear. He had trips to the hospital to fix up his stitching and when his music box finally died it was gently removed by my mother. Over the years Teddy has had many roles, in fact, he has been a soldier, an Indian, a friend, and secret keeper. Teddy watched Saturday morning cartoons with me, stayed at my side when I was sick, and never failed to have a ready smile for me when I was down. As I grew he went from being constantly at my side, to my bed partner at night, to watching over my bed, to now staying safely here in the closet so nothing happens to my old friend.
So this is my teddy bear, a dear old friend. Something I have loved and cherished for more years then most people have been alive and one I am glad I have hung onto.