On the first day of school in my second year of teaching, a little third grader came into my classroom and promptly made a beeline for the space under my desk. Once there he sniffled and cried for most of the morning. I let him be...I figured when he was ready to come out, he would. Richie did come out eventually and he and I became fast friends.
When Christmas came, Richie gave me a special gift...a Christmas mug (which I still have) and an adorable little teddy bear. Right before Christmas that year, I met my husband to be. As we were decorating our first Christmas tree, we were looking for something to put on top of the tree. It was late and we didn't want to go out shopping for a star or an angel. As a temporary solution, we took Richie's little bear and tied him on top of the tree. We never did find another tree topper that year, and in the years that followed we couldn't bring ourselves to put anything else up on the tree. So, here it is, 22 Christmases later and Richie's bear is still on the top of the tree!
I wish I knew what happened to Richie!
13 comments:
Great story - and a nice bear. Maybe you should try googling Richie - you might find him (or maybe that would ruin the memory)...
What a great story...Christmas memories are the best...
I love the teddy bear. He looks so happy sitting on top of the tree.
glad the bear isn't hibernating and has the energy to climb the tree as he looks really cute there...
Maybe you can ask the area High Schools about class reunions for the classes around the time Richie would have graduated?
Great Christmas story. I guess we never know the effect we can have on some people as we travel through our lives :-)
Awwww... What a sweet story. Bless his heart- first days can be rough. I love the tree topper- such sweet memories.
As a teacher I know just where you are at. My first class of Preps(1st Grade) are to do year 12 this coming year and I still remember them weeing on the carpet!
Love the decs. Happy Christmas, Tracey
What a sweet story -- Richie may even have a second grader of his own to tell the story, too *s* The bear is perfect.
What a precious story, Carolyn! Sometimes the smallest of gifts can remind us of the best memories.
Hope you're feeling better!
What a sweet story! And what a wonderful thing it would be if you could find out what happened to him.
That's a wonderful story, and so cool that you are still using it. Obviously, Richie made an impression on you, and I'd be willing to bet that you are still in his memories, too.
That bear is so adorable on the tree, and has much more meaning than a purchased star or angel would have. I love it!
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