Dr. Laura, 

I like the advice you gave to the mom who was concerned about her 10-year-old son still attached to his baby blanket. I am happy you told her to let him hold on to it even though he had to do it in the privacy of his own room. I have a sweet story to share with you about my dad and his teddy bear. 

In the 1930's when my dad was a toddler he received a teddy bear for Christmas. He loved his teddy bear so much so he held on to it his entire life. When my dad was 12 years old his father died. When he was 17, he entered the Marine Corps, joining his older brother. Both served in Korea with my dad being injured, captured and tortured. His head injury left him with life-long suffering and disabilities. Upon his return to the States, he got married and had 5 children, but he still had that teddy bear. 

When I was about 20 years old, my dad gave me that teddy bear. He told me it had brought him more comfort than I would ever know. I was honored and told him I would take good care of it. I carefully wrapped the frail and tattered bear in a pillow case and stored him in a chest for many years. About 15 years later, Dad died. The day after he passed, I thought about that bear; how much comfort it brought him during his life and how much it meant to him. Without hesitation I placed his teddy bear in his casket to be buried with him. I felt he now would forever be comforted by it even though I wanted to hold on to it for my own comfort. I did not know how much my gesture would mean until I read this letter my uncle wrote to the editor of his local newspaper explaining more in depth what that bear really meant to him and his family and the legacy that lives on. 

Evelyn