I recently came across a heartwarming tale about a little boy who lost his cherished stuffed tiger during a family trip. Airport staff found the toy and took it on a whimsical journey before returning it to the boy a week later. This instantly reminded me of my daughter, Lily, and her deep bond with her plush security blanket, affectionately named Cuddles Bear.
Cuddles Bear isn’t your typical stuffed animal or blanket. Instead, she’s a worn, fuzzy, off-white square with a bear head stitched onto one corner. Small enough to be hugged tightly, many parents refer to these comforting items as “lovies.” Lily named hers Cuddles Bear as soon as she began to talk, and she’s had Cuddles by her side every night since birth. Now approaching 8 years old, she still clings to her beloved companion.
I’ll confess that Cuddles Bear can try my patience. There have been countless evenings when our household has erupted into chaos as we frantically searched for her just before bedtime. Picture this: Lily, tear-streaked and red-faced, as we all scramble to find Cuddles.
“Is she wedged in the couch?” I bark like a drill sergeant, waving my arms in a frantic search. “What about the attic? Did someone check behind the TV? Could she be hiding in the cereal cupboard?” I mean, seriously, where could Cuddles Bear be hiding?!
When new babysitters come, I make sure to emphasize the significance of this raggedy piece of fabric. “If you want peace while we’re out, Cuddles Bear must be treated like a VIP on a secret mission! Don’t let her go missing!”
As Lily has grown, her fondness for Cuddles hasn’t faded, yet she’s become aware of how “childish” it seems to her peers. Reluctantly, she now leaves her lovey on her pillow in her room, which has significantly reduced our evening search parties. (But Cuddles has a habit of breaking the rules; we often catch her lounging on the window bench or sprawled on the floor.)
Unfortunately, Cuddles Bear had one last great escape before the new rules took effect. Just like Owen Lake from Tampa, Florida, who left his toy behind at the airport, our little adventure unfolded during a family trip.
We were living in Los Angeles at the time and decided to drive to San Francisco for spring break. As a special treat, we checked into the lovely Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill.
On our first morning, we woke up excited to explore the city. Like most hotel guests, we neglected to make our beds. Lily insisted that Cuddles Bear join us on this trip and left her nestled among the sheets. But upon returning to our room later that day, Cuddles was nowhere to be found!
We tore the room apart, panic rising as Lily began to hyperventilate. I rushed to the concierge, who suggested I reach out to the laundry team. The news wasn’t good. “We send out thousands of pounds of linens each week. If Cuddles Bear ended up in the wash, the chances of finding her are slim,” they explained apologetically.
Lily tried to hold it together during our outings around Alcatraz and Pier 39, but she couldn’t hide her heartache. A few days later, we packed up the minivan and headed home—without Cuddles.
Upon our return, Lily was understandably downcast until, a week later, we received an unexpected call.
“Great news!” the concierge exclaimed, sharing their relief at having located Cuddles Bear. “She was indeed with the laundry! The staff felt terrible and searched high and low.”
I was amazed by their commitment to finding Lily’s beloved lovey. They must have gone through a lot to identify her amidst the sea of linens.
“Tell Lily that Cuddles Bear is going on an adventure today. She’s flying FedEx and will arrive at your doorstep tomorrow!” the concierge continued. Lily was over the moon upon hearing the news, squealing and dancing with joy.
The next day, we eagerly opened the box to find Cuddles Bear looking as good as new. Lily burst into tears, hugging her as if it was the happiest reunion ever. But just a few hours later, I heard her calling out from her room, “Cuddles? Oh no! Where did Cuddles Bear go?”
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In summary, this heartfelt adventure highlighted the irreplaceable bond between a child and their comfort object, showcasing the lengths to which love will go—even involving hotel staff on a mission.