Tuesday, while crowing about the cover art for Different Dream Parenting, I hinted about the significance of the teddy bear in the corner. Today’s entry explains that significance.
This story was written shortly after receiving the cover art for my first book, A Different Dream for My Child, in January of 2009. As I wrote, one month after Allen finished treatment for PTSD, we were hopeful but unsure of the treatment’s success. Reading it today, I am reminded of what God has done in our family over the past two years. Indeed, we have much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving Day.
The Teddy Bear
Yesterday my editor emailed the final cover design for my book, A Different Dream for My Child: Meditations for Parents of Critically or Chronically Ill Children. I opened it, and chills ran down my spine.
The picture of two hands, those of a parent and child, caused the first chill. For months, a similar image had flashed into my mind whenever I tried to picture the book’s cover. The second chill came when I realized the book title was intact. Because of its length, I expected it to be changed. But the designer arranged the title and subtitle so it flows beautifully.
The tiny teddy bear in the top, right corner of the cover made me gasp and brought on the third chill. The little bear was a dead ringer for the one our son received from a neighbor when, at almost three weeks old, he was released from neo-natal intensive care. The little brown bear had a red ribbon around its neck and music box key poking from its back. When our fragile baby, still recovering from surgery, lay in his infant carrier, we would wind the key and perch the bear in front of Allen.
After a few days, his eyes began to search for the bear when he heard the thin strains of Teddy Bears’ Picnic. My heart rejoiced to see our baby aware of the world around him, able to hear and see and seek out the music. The day he raised his small hand and reached for the bear, I gasped. A chill ran down my spine, and voice from deep within reassured me. He’s going to make it through this and so will you. You’re all going to be okay.
Though many unexpected medical and emotional hardships lay ahead for our family and for Allen, those words proved true. Twenty-six years later, we are okay. We have made it through. That’s why the tiny teddy bear in the top right corner of the book’s cover sent a chill down my spine and made me gasp. The little brown bear with a bright red bow around its neck assures me that parents will hear the message in A Different Dream for My Child.
You’re going to make it. No matter how hard things get, no matter how long it takes, you’re not alone. You’re going to be okay.
