Teddy bears

Clutter clearing teddy bears (5)

Written by Karen Kingston Wednesday, 29 August 2007 18:51

Here's the last batch of the best suggestions from my mailbox. Thanks to everyone who took the time to  put their thoughts and ideas into writing. 

We can't clutter our forests with teddy bears. That could start a trend that could lead to something really ugly. If needed, take a picture with your bear, say your good-byes and let him go. It is not possible that he could ever leave your heart. - Anne

In 'The Velveteen Rabbit' by Marjory Williams, the Skin Horse, a venerable old toy who had been loved to worn outness, tells the Velveteen Rabbit about becoming real, that it happens when someone (a child) really loves you. When your bear has become real, he or she is part of you. If it is time to let the well loved and well worn physical form of the bear go, plant a beautiful tree over your bear in a place you know will make you happy and will bring happiness to many others. Maybe there are children who can help you with this ritual. - Sue

Maybe hold a 'funeral' and bury your teddy bear? Alternatively, animal shelters and veterinarian clinics are always looking for animal-safe toys (as well as old sheets, towels, and linens... another good way to get rid of things too old and ratty for charities to accept). Perhaps you could take some photos of it to remember it by, then donate it to an animal shelter as a companion for one of the animals? - Melissa

There are many crafts people who may wish to use old teddy bears and toys to reclaim the materials used. The materials can be taken apart and used in a new bear or toy: eg fabric, eye buttons, etc. Some of these old teddy bears have very valuable parts to them that are difficult to find now. At least you may be comforted by the idea that your teddy bear is being created anew - and your fond memories are going with it. Advertising your bear's parts on sites such as the Freecycle (non-profit global recycling) site may be the way to go. - Jennifer

Getting rid of a well-loved teddy bear (no matter how much one feels one has moved on) is like getting rid of part of one's soul. OK, they're cloth and stuffing with beady glass or shoebutton eyes, but like many of the comments I've read, they have the imprint of love someone has put there. I mean, you and that bear have a history together, much like a person and their dog or cat (which you wouldn't euthanize and bury unless it was suffering). How much space can ONE bear take up? Get rid of something else you don't need, such as that kitschy plastic statue Aunt Clara sent you from San Francisco. I still have my first teddy bear from 48 years ago, plus the one my mother gave me the year she passed away, and a tiny beanie my fiance and I bought together (we take her everywhere). Three bears, two grown-ups. - Diane

I think the burial would be the best way. Do a little ceremony and let go. Dust to dust. An acknowledgment, in ritual, for a best friend. - Fenella

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Clutter clearing teddy bears (4)

Written by Karen Kingston Tuesday, 28 August 2007 18:39

Donate them! I work in a restaurant. We have a section for kids toys and games. I put my own old toys and stuffed animals there. You cannot imagine how much joy it gives me to see children playing with the very same stuffed animals that I loved. - Erin

Do inanimate objects care if you get rid of them?  No, they don't!  Thank the Universe for the use of the Teddy Bear, and then throw it out.  Perform a ceremony if necessary. Be grateful that you are now an adult with better ways to comfort yourself.  Free yourself from the childhood object as you free yourself from the childish ways. - Kathi

I felt for the lady with the teddy bear. I have in the past had that same issue, and I just kept the item (for years) until I was able to look at it and say, "I don't feel the same way about it any longer. Then it felt good to let it go. - Anne

Although it was a sad day, I felt SO good when I said goodbye to my bear collection - 25 of them - knowing they would be welcomed into someone else's home. I took photos of them before I packed them up. - Collete

Some ideas... For collectors, some of the most prized bears look well worn, well loved - check out the books of collectible bears at your local bookstore or library. Photos of well worn bears are also wonderful as greeting cards - photograph your bear and use the photos. An antique toy store might want your bear to be part of a window display. Check Craigslist, Google, etc. for photographers, collectors, or bear makers.  There are clubs for all of these. - Evelyn

Clutter clearing teddy bears (3)

Written by Karen Kingston Tuesday, 21 August 2007 17:58

 
Many thanks to Machiko, who wrote to tell me about the fascinating practice of Ningyo Kuyo in a Japan. She says, "I read your article on clearing Teddy Bears with great interest.  I am not sure if my tip will help people living outside of Japan, but a lot of temples hold ceremonies there to thank and part with worn-out dolls and teddy bears."

She says this is a ceremony offered at many Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. People bring (or in some cases, mail) dolls and teddy bears they no longer use, and for a small fee (around ¥ 3,000-5,000) a ceremony is performed.

In Buddhist temples the ceremony consists of a sutra being recited for the dolls or bears, followed by a ritual purification called Otakiage (burning in fire). In the Shinto tradition, the ceremony begins with Mitama Nuki to remove the Mitama (soul or spirit) from the dolls or bears, then there is then a prayer for the owners, and finally there is an Otakiage purification with fire.

Machiko says, "I have not been able to find the origin for this specific practice, but the practice of holding a ceremony or building a monument for everyday objects such as sewing needles and pens/ink brushes to thank them for their services has been historically done (it may have originally come from China), so I believe that it is natural for the Japanese people to hold such ceremonies also for dolls." She says similar ceremonies are also done for letters that for some reason could not reach their intended recipients.

More information I've found about Ningyo Kuyo:
http://www.tricycle.com/blog/jeff_wilson/3554-1.html

Photos of ceremonies:
http://www.geocities.jp/kiyomizudo/ningyo2.html
http://ningyou.org/article/26754730.html

Machiko says, "In my case, when I cleared my old teddy bears I simply thanked them and took them out as regular trash.  It was my simplified version of the ceremony, and I believe that it is more environmentally friendly. Although many of your readers may not have the chance to use the services offered in Japan, I believe that certain forms of ceremony, such as offering flowers, incense, food you used to enjoy with teddy bears as a child, and thank-you cards (the cards may go with the teddy bears or stay with you), may help them with clutter clearing teddy bears."

Clutter clearing teddy bears (2)

Written by Karen Kingston Saturday, 18 August 2007 09:35

Emails about teddies are still arriving in my inbox. My blog of 4 August seems to have touched a core note with a lot of people. Here are some of the suggestions about what to do with teddy bears you no longer need or want (more to follow soon)...

"If you have bears in good condition, contact your local Police Department.  The Police in New Haven, Connecticut, USA started a program whereby the police officers carry two donated teddy bears in the trunk of each police car.  When they have to go to a house with a child in it who is traumatized - maybe abused, or there has been a fire or flood - they give the child a bear to make them feel comfortable.  If there is no such program in your town, suggest it to the Police.  One police lady officer started the program in our town." - Colette

"Animal shelters and zoos can use stuffed toys (in any condition, I believe) for the animals to play with. My children's favorite experience when we went to a zoo was watching a chimp play with a teddy bear and baby toys." - Chris

"Give your beloved teddy bear to a trusted friend and ask them to find a new home for it. It would give your friend an opportunity to help and it would be a sweet way to let go of a special keepsake." - Noreen

"Long before I heard about your work and books I did a real thorough clutter clearing. I was about 25 years old then. I tossed my beloved teddy bear because I just didn´t know what else to do. The important thing to know is that there is a mourning process and one should be aware of this. No matter how anyone will get rid of their beloved bear, you will probably miss him. I still miss mine 12 years later, but I would not want him back. I still know how his hugged-off fur felt. I think he is fine now, wherever he may be." - Susanne

"Take a picture of your teddy bear and place in a scrapbook.  That's what I do with flowers that have been given to me for a special occasion. Of course those flowers die but the love that they were given to me with always lives on.  Pictures are a nice (and space saving) reminder." - Joli

"If you still love it, keep it!" - Karoline

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