A small teddy bear, chosen to comfort a child during a difficult time, becomes a symbol of hope and healing in Meridian’s Child Advocacy Center.
The Closet of Hope
In a small, quiet closet tucked inside Meridian’s Child Advocacy Center, teddy bears lined the shelves from top to bottom. Each bear was soft, clean and stitched with love and care. They were all waiting, thought they weren’t sure for what. There was a gentle quiet stirring, a soft but undeniable sensation that when a child needed them, they would be there.
Teddy, a small honey-colored bear, had been in the closet for what felt like forever. He had heard the quiet whispers of the children who came to the Center, and felt the anticipation in the air. But today was different. Teddy could sense that something was about to happen.
The Chosen Companion
The door to the closet opened, and Teddy’s heart skipped a beat. A kind woman in a soft, purple sweater reached for him, her hands gentle as she cradled him. “This one,” she murmured, carrying him down the hallway. Teddy’s stuffing seemed to buzz with anticipation.
As they moved through the quiet building, Teddy caught glimpses of somber faces and heard murmurs of low, soothing voices. The woman stopped outside a room and placed Teddy on a small chair by the door.
Teddy sat quietly, taking in the sounds around him. From inside the room came the faint, trembling voice of a child. The words were uneven, broken by soft sobs, but there was strength in them. Teddy could also hear the steady, reassuring tones of an adult, offering calm words in response. Though he couldn’t see the child, Teddy felt the weight of their emotions in every sound, and his seams seemed to tighten with the need to help.
Footsteps echoed down the hall. A team of investigators and prosecutors had arrived. They went into a different room with a large television to watch the interview. Their faces were serious, focused on the child’s story. Teddy could tell they were there to help, their presence steady.
The voices inside the room softened, the sobs quieting into sniffles. The hum in Teddy’s stuffing grew stronger, as though every fiber of his being was preparing for what was to come next.
A Friend for the Brave
Finally, the door opened. A little boy stepped out, his shoulders slumped and his face streaked with tears. His small hands twisted nervously at the hem of his shirt, but there was something else in his eyes—relief. He had spoken his truth, and though it had been hard, he had done it.
The kind woman knelt down beside him, holding Teddy out. “This is for you,” she said softly.
The boy hesitated for only a moment before reaching out to take the bear. As his fingers curled around Teddy’s soft fur, the boy’s face softened. He held the bear close, burying his face in its plush warmth.
Teddy felt the weight of the boy’s pain and the spark of his courage, and he knew his purpose had begun. The boy’s arms tightened around him, and for the first time, the bear felt what it meant to bring comfort.
As they walked away together, Teddy knew the child still had a long journey ahead, but he would be there for every step, a quiet companion and a guardian of hope.
Help Teddy give the gift of Hope and Healing today: Hope and Healing | Meridian Health Services Giving Portal
