The Chocolate Teddy Bear from my sister <3

I had never been the type for Teddy Bears since I was little. And yet, one of my favorite stuffed animals was a toy Bear, and it changed things for me.

I can’t quite remember what age I was, maybe about seven? It was a cold, dark night, and it was storming pretty badly outside. I was deathly afraid of storms back then. Every time the lightning struck and the thunder boomed, I whimpered and hid under my bed in fear. I could barely go out without feeling scared as I watched the dark grey clouds and light from the strikes. Then one day, as the rumbles from the thunder pounded like drums in the distance, my little sister, who was maybe five at the time, came into my room. She smiled and walked over to me, calmly sitting down next to me. “Hi,” she said. “Hi,” I said back. “Why are you here?” “I saw you were scared,” she said sympathetically, “so I brought you something.” And with a shy smile, she pulled out a chocolate brown Teddy Bear that could fit in my hands, with messy fur and shiny brown eyes. I widened my eyes and gasped quietly, taking the bear from her. “It’ll help you not be afraid. He’s mine, but you can have him to sleep with. He’ll keep you safe,” she said joyfully. I looked down at it, my fear suddenly melting away as I cradled the toy. “Thank you,” I whispered softly, smiling. My sister grinned and giggled. “You’re welcome!” I looked up at her, then gave her a big hug, not caring about the thunder outside anymore.

And from that day on, for years to come, I slept and snuggled with that bear at night when I was afraid. And I never got scared of thunderstorms again, thanks to my little sister and her love.