by Jackie

    One day, in the Costco Pharmacy Department, I saw this little stuffed bear peeking out of a cellophane window in a printed cardboard box. It looked lonesome but patient.

From reading the back of the box, I learned that the bear’s soft-looking, round body was stuffed with tiny beads that could be warmed up and would feel comforting when you hugged it. The little bear was meant to soothe kids who were sick. After only a minute in the microwave, it would be ready to make them feel “all better.”

I could not resist buying the little bear because it was so cute, and the light turquoise color is my favorite. I took “the cutie” home and set it on my bed next to my alpaca-furred bear named “Big Al.”  I called the little bear “BEARY.”

So, BEARY lived there during the daytime and moved to the dresser with Big Al each night. They became good friends.  Once, I warmed BEARY in the microwave for a minute and snuggled it against my upset tummy. It did make me feel better! And I think the little bear was happy to be doing its job.  I sometimes posed it in funny positions on my bed with Big Al.  BEARY thought it was fun, too. Didn’t I hear a giggle once?

One day I saw a pair of pretty, stretchy bead bracelets at a store. They were plastic and made to look like emerald birthstones. I loved them, especially the little gold pieces strung between the deep green beads. They made the bracelets look very fancy. They were not very expensive, so I bought them… just for fun.

I wore them for a few days, loving the glint and sparkle. After all, an emerald is my birthstone!  It’s green, like my eyes.  Anyway, when I decided to put them away, something happened. Almost like magic, my eyes went to BEARY. Was that little bear smiling at me?

“Hey, little bear, why are you happy? Do you like my bracelets?”

At that moment, I decided where to store my little stretchy bracelets.  I picked up BEARY and carefully stretched them around the little neck like a collar.  The colors of the beads and the fur blended perfectly! It looked as if they were made to go together.

Then, I realized something astounding!

Oh my! Could it be true?  

My little soft green bear was a…a…girl!!  Oh my!!  

How could I have missed that?  A girl! And she was so-o-o-o-o cute with her little green and gold necklace! 

Of course, now I had to rename her.  Right then, my plain BEARY became KERRY BEARY.  Did that little bear wiggle for joy?  Did she blink and blush?  Is she truly smiling? 

And Big AL?  He gave me a knowing smile as if he knew all along. Maybe he did!

*** Say “hello” to my sweet little green KERRY BEARY. ***