Booxie has been Tween's companion since he was one and a half. Booxie is an every-night bear, a find-him-if-he's-missing-no-matter-what bear. They've been together through thick and thin: secret midnight conferences, under-table "club" meetings, hospitalizations, vacations. Naturally Tween wanted to share his honored friend with Toddler. He hoped that his little sister would esteem Booxie with the same reverence that Tween had. Accordingly, one evening after dinner he cautiously introduced them.
Toddler's response was not quite what Tween expected. First she drooled on Booxie - drooled! Imagine the indignation! Then she ran around the living room, carrying Booxie by his tie like the lump of stuffing he was before he met Tween. The more Tween chased Toddler to rescue Booxie, the faster Toddler ran (you knew that, of course). She gave Booxie slobbery kisses, hugged him downside-up, sat on him, tossed him carelessly about. Tween was outraged.
He gave her Booxie again the next night.
At this point, he says he will not give Booxie to Toddler completely. After all, Booxie is a very special part of Tween. Booxie still has confidante duties to fulfill. You don't hand over your best friend of many years just because someone cute and needy comes along. And yet, Tween offers Booxie again and again. It's as if he wants her to love Booxie, but at the same time is afraid she will.
Booxie
It's been an interesting exchange to watch - this giving and pulling back. It must be hard to hand one so loved over to someone of undetermined character, who might devalue, or even damage, the one loved.
I think I understand how Tween feels. I feel the same way, in fact, about my Teen as she grows and weans herself of our home. I want all the world to love her, yet I'm afraid they will. A giving and a pulling back, for sure.
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