My Billy so loved that toy doll. No teddy bears for him ... it had to be Popeye ... no discussion ... no substitute.  In fact as he grew older and his little friends  would visit and be taken to his room to play he would make certain that Popeye had been secreted away before they arrived as even he realized that maybe they would tease him because he slept  with  his best buddy, Popeye.

 Major tragedy when Popeye's soft body began to fall apart from those years of night time cuddling. Well, in truth, at times there was more than cuddling. Occasionally he and Popeye would do a little boxing or other such activity which could have had something to do with the wear and tear. After all my little man was a boy and very much into manly pursuits. But at bedtime ... he was definitely a vulnerable, loving little guy who needed his pal.

Not being very handy at the sewing game it took a lot of very careful thinking to figure out how to  construct a new set of clothing and restore him to  health. The mission was accomplished in record time however as my young man was so worried about Popeye losing all his stuffing. The big smile on my wee guy's face  when he saw  his friend's new suit and Popeye restored to health made every single stitch worthwhile.

 Being an only child can be quite lonely at times. Popeye filled a void  which was ever present. My son wanted a brother  or sister so badly and that unfortunately was not something Mommy could fix with needle and thread.  So Popeye was a very much loved family member for several of my son's early years. If I am totally honest I have to admit  feeling more than a little sadness when Popeye was finally relegated to the Toy Box permanently.

There was another special friend in those days who was present for a couple of years. I never did know whether the friend was male or female. That was my son's secret. This imaginary friend was called 'Honey" and Honey must have a good night kiss from Mommy immediately after Billy  and Mommy had exchanged theirs. Honey also frequently joined us at mealtimes. He .. or she.. and Billy carried on their own very
confidential conversations. Mommy was never allowed to participate. She could be present but as the conversations were always conducted in whispers I never did really hear much of what was said. Even at that young age my son demanded his privacy !

As the years passed Honey too passed into history. With Popeye relegated to the toy box as well it was apparent my little boy was  expanding his horizons beyond our small private world. I knew this was inevitable and to be expected but nevertheless more than a slight twinge of sadness was felt by 'Mommy', for as much as he loved Popeye and Honey he also had a special place in his heart for his Mommy and would turn to her  for comfort or to share secrets with her frequently. I had always known those days were going to become less frequent in the years to come and would have been tempted to stop time I think, if it had been possible. No time in my life has been as precious as those years  before my tiny son ventured forth to explore other worlds without Mommy at his side. Nor has any time in my life been as rewarding. Nothing can ever replace that  very special unquestioning trust  of your little ones that Mommy will always be there with a big hug and a kiss to take away the sting of  the scrapes and cuts a little boy has a special knack of acquiring.

From the time you first know you are carrying a child your first thought always is to protect that wee being from any and all harm. When that child is placed in your arms for the very first time the feelings which overwhelm you surpass any you have felt ever before. This wee miracle needs you so much !  And how you love that tiny cuddly angel! From that day onward they are your most precious treasure and so long as you live they will fill a  very huge part of your heart. But even in those early days you know that the time will come when they will not need you as they do now and you begin to prepare yourself for the day that they will let go of your hand and venture forth to explore new worlds and have adventures of which you will be no part. You must be ready for that day because that is also a part of loving them. Knowing when to let go.

 But there is a wonderfully bright side too.  You get to be a trusted and loved lifetime friend of a very special boy and then a man who absolutely  knows you will always be there should he need you just as he will be for you. Plus the very  best part of all ... the priceless memories you will always have of the days when Popeye, Honey, and Mommy were all your little boy needed to make his world complete. Time cannot take those memories away from you.  Nothing will erase them so long as you possess the ability to remember. They are yours for all of your lifetime. What Mommy could possibly ask for more?