DECADES AGO, WHEN THE SON was but a preschooler, he left his favorite teddy bear in the church nursery. Not until evening, long after church doors were locked, did the parents notice Bear Bear was missing. And then panic set in. Efforts began to retrieve the beloved bear. While I don’t recall how entry was gained—nothing illegal, I assure you—Caleb had his bear back by bed-time, much to our family’s collective relief.
That memory popped into my mind during a recent visit to Mission Park in Crow Wing County. There I spotted not one, but two, cherished possessions abandoned on picnic tables inside the park shelter. A doll and a lizard. Plus a bonus bottle of hand sanitizer.
Now, as most parents and even grandparents realize, losing a cherished doll or stuffed animal or blanket can cause angst, distress and unstoppable tears for a child. I empathized when I saw the two lovies and hoped whoever left them would soon retrieve them.
But that was not to be. A day or two later, upon returning to Mission Park to, once again, hike the trails, the three abandoned items remained, now grouped on a single picnic table.
I mentioned this to an older man working in the park. He speculated that children from a daycare (who frequent the park) left the doll and the lizard. Perhaps he’s right. I can only hope some adult remembers and returns…before winter blows in and vacationing on the Caribbean island of Curacao centers thoughts and plans.
#
TELL ME: I’d love to hear any stories you may have about dolls, stuffed animals and other comforts forgotten somewhere.
Copyright 2021 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I am always fascinated by things left behind, wondering about the people connected to them. I often take photos of them and write about them
You and I alike…wondering.
I wonder about the one random shoe while driving down the road – where did it come from, where is its mate, etc. Ha! Being curious and wondering is going to keep us sharp.
Yeah, I always wonder about that, too. How do you lose a shoe? Yes, I hope curiosity keeps us sharp.
I think so too!
I love the stories that make news about the lovies left at the airport that go on the grandest adventures back to their loved one(s). My cat growing up would either disappear amongst the lovies in their basket or amongst the lovies and the pillows on the bed (she was pretty good at blending in at times). I really hope someone comes back for these lovies. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I love those stories, too, when someone goes the extra mile to return a lovie.
I have heard of parent who buy two of the beloved softies, so that if one were to be lost or needed cleaning the other could replace it. My grandson Carson carried a bunny around with him until probably about 3 years ago, he carried it inside his shirt so it’s head poked up through the collar of Carson’s shirt. I never wanted to see him stop. That bunny was always with him and yes, a few times my daughter had to play detective and find bunny. Bunny now stays on Carson’s bed and is just a bedtime softie. I love that at age 9 he’s still has his favorite soft toy.
I love your story about Carson and his bunny. And, yes, I also love that he still has his favorite soft toy.
Sounds like one of my Hummmm files.😂
It certainly does.