It might be missing an eye or an ear, but to a young child, a teddy bear can be a trusted friend who won't abandon them. Dear Friend, I wonder if a teddy bear would have helped make a difference for Johnny the day he discovered his older brother's lifeless body hanging in their bedroom. Here at St. Labre, our children sometimes lose parents or brothers and sisters as the result of tragic accidents involving alcohol or drug abuse.
Suicide is even worse, leaving our children with many unanswered questions.
As we look forward to Easter, we think about death in a different way. I cannot think of a more fitting time to restore hope in the lives of Native Americans, so many of whom face tremendous despair in their lives. Most kids think of Easter as a holiday celebrated with colorful baskets and special treats, like bunny rabbits and teddy bears. You are very often just like a comforting teddy bear to our children. Think about it.