Dear Foster,

You went to bed without me tonight.  I know you have been saying for awhile now that you don’t need me, that you aren’t a “baby”.  I started to think back to the beginning…February 14th, 2004 when we first met.  Your mommy was really into those parenting books and one of them must have said something about an “attachment object” so that a new baby would feel a sense of security.  I guess that’s why some people call them security blankets.  Your mommy called me your lovey.  She got you as a baby shower gift and since she didn’t know then if you would be a boy or a girl…you were stuck with my color – light yellow.  Although, I don’t really look all that yellow now…ten years (or 3,650 nights later) I look sort-of grayish yellow…all pulled strings and worn places. 

I knew your mommy was onto something when you started to sort of pick at the fuzz on me and suck your thumb.  I felt pretty happy that I could provide you with comfort when you were hurt, help you relax at nap time and keep you company through the nights.  I know there was at least one night that we spent apart, you still had your thumb but I’m sure it wasn’t the same, otherwise your mommy wouldn’t have asked your Grammy to overnight express me back from her house! 

We’ve been through some great times together…six years of thumb sucking, sometimes picking at my fuzzy side and sometimes petting my silky side.  I know it was hard, giving up that thumb and making all those big transitions you’ve made in life.  Man, each time your mommy had another baby you were treated as older and bigger, but when you and I hung out at night, in the quiet of your room, it was like old times…when you were the little one. 

Then there were the really scary and sad times…when your Daddy was gone to Columbia, Iraq, Kuwait…the really long trips.  The time you broke your collar bone and the time you had a stomach virus so bad you ended up in the hospital.  When your Nana died and you didn’t understand it all.

I was glad you shared with me when you gave your life to Jesus, right after praying with your mommy and daddy in the living room…I was so relieved that you had found the true Lovey.

What I appreciate about you the most is that during the day you let me play all kinds of things with you…games like “smack my sister” and when you would wad me up and use me as a bomb.  It was fun times buddy, fun times.

I know that when you started reading and praying at night I wasn’t as necessary as before but I was honored to still be a part of your life.  You are growing up and I know I need to let you go.

I thank you Foster Owen Grubb for sharing a part of your life with me. I know that your mommy will put me away in a safe place, a place for all those truly, one-of-a-kind special things that have defined your life and hers.

Farewell dear friend,

Foster’s Lovey