The Doppelgänger

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, faith, FASD, gratitude, love, ParentingTags:, , , , ,

T’s beloved Moo Moo has been with him over half his life.

He regulates T and has accompanied us on countless roadtrips and on vacations across Canada and the Caribbean.

Years ago, the hubby and I bought an exact replica, in the event we ever lost Moo Moo. He hides in my closet, still wrapped in its original plastic.

I came across him, while we spent this snowstorm Sunday cleaning our messy home.

One cow is worn down, tattered and dirty; the other is shiny new.

Taking a nap en route to Banff.

One has years of lasting memories that stir joy and smiles; the other is void of context and meaning.

T’s favourite gang of stuffies travel together. Ladybug has been with him since he was a baby.

It’s like life as a FASD caregiver.

On many days, I feel worn and tattered; but boy, are there a lifetime of memories that make me smile, laugh and immensely grateful.

Treasured moments, hard-earned successes and humbling lessons that can never be replicated.

Life is experienced – and if we’re lucky, it’s experienced together with loved ones.

Thanks for this reminder, Moo Moo. 💕🐮

Playing with a younger boy in the plane seat in front.

33 thoughts on “The Doppelgänger”

  3. Good call on getting a second Moo Moo. Our little M got a bunny for her first birthday. She absolutely loves it and won’t sleep without it. I ended up buying three more back-ups just in case. But the original bunny is obviously the most special. Hope you survived the snowstorm and that your back doesn’t hurt from all that shovelling!

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    1. You and K plan very well. Hope you never have to bring out one of the replacement bunnies! 😆

      The snow was quite something! T enjoyed having his second snow day in less than 2 weeks – and thankfully I got to work from home yesterday.

      As I tell others, I’m very thankful the hubby invested in a snowblower and that I invested in him. 🤣

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  5. My 41-one- year old son still has “Twinkles,” a stuffed cat he received from a third grade teacher when my Mother-in-law (his grandma) passed away. That cat went to college and now lives in my son’s home with my son’s wife, son, and two dogs. Oh, The Stories Twinkles could tell!!! Thanks for the story and the connection that you made between stuffed Moo Moo and life – “On many days, I feel worn and tattered; but boy, are there a lifetime of memories that make me smile, laugh, and immensely grateful.

    Treasured moments, hard-earned successes and humbling lessons that can never be replicated.

    Life is experienced – and if we’re lucky, it’s experienced together with loved ones.”

    Beautiful

    💖

    V

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    1. That is one truly special 3rd grade teacher to have supported your son during a hard time. I would love to hear the stories that Twinkles would tell indeed! 💕

      Hope you’ve all dug out of the snow. Thankfully the commute this morning to work was not too bad!

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  6. My daughter Colleen had several stuffies that went everywhere with her when she was little. She was especially attached to Barney. We were so worried that Barney would get lost that we looked for another one but never found one exactly the same. She’s almost 23 now, and she still has that collection of stuffies. They even made the move to PEI with her last year.

    She often comments how grubby those animals are, and she has pretty much hugged the stuffing out of them all. But, as you point out, it’s the memories and experiences that count!

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  8. I love how you see joy and perseverance in the well-worn and loved Moo Moo and connect back to your own journey of parenting, Ab. So poignant and perfect. The memories we carry — some visible, some not — and the stories our bumps and bruises tell? They make us who we are. Beautiful! ❤️🥰❤️

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  10. a great way to look at it, and no matter how tattered or worn down you get as caregivers, your roles are incredibly important in this boy’s life. you have been exactly what he needed even when it is so hard and made all the difference. ❤

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  11. It’s crazy how important stuffed animals and security blankets are. My son is in his 40’s and he still has a stuffed monkey from his childhood. He put it on the wall shelf in his son’s room. You were so smart having a spare! I love the way you write Ab!

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    1. Thanks Diane. I just love how our toys are passed down to the next generation. Some of T’s toys are from the hubby’s childhood. We tell him to take care of them so he can pass them down to his children one day. 🥰

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  12. Oh my gosh, I love Moo Moo. My little brother had an almost identical cow stuffie named Annabelle that he took everywhere, so this was especially touching for me. You’re absolutely right about how the tatters tell a story–I’ll take a life lived, even with its hardships, over living in plastic wrap on the top shelf any day.

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      1. I’ve not seen The Conjuring! I’m a total wuss LOL… saw The Grudge in theaters as a teen and found myself clinging to the stranger next to me 😅 so no more horror movies for me. Yes, hopefully no paranormal experiences… though maybe I need to ask…

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    1. T accidentally became aware of the replacement. He didn’t pay much attention to it. So if we were to lose Moo Moo, he’d get a shiny new one. But I know it’ll be a new relationship rather than an immediate replacement. 😊

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  15. Very beautiful outlook -🎁❤️
    I know for me – when I was a child I could “feel” the feelings of my stuffed friends. It was love ❤️ and safety and they also gave me something to care for – isn’t it amazing that the young at heart connect in the purest way to these little stuffed loved ones!
    I hope T always has a place in his heart ♥️ for them!

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  16. Lots of wisdom in this line Ab. “One has years of lasting memories that stir joy and smiles; the other is void of context and meaning.” You know what too. If T had his choice of the two, my bet is that he would choose the one that was worn. We think we want the new and shiny, but memories and joy win every time! Well said.

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