Quack Quack

When I was in my elementary school years I had several stuffed animals. I can remember three in particular, Quack Quack, Quick Quick, and Muffin Teddy. Quack Quack was a small stuffed duck that my dad brought home for me from one of his business trips, he was my favorite. I loved Quack Quack. He was downright adorable, soft, and was my sleeping buddy for several years.

One Saturday afternoon while my dad was reclining on the family room floor watching football, I was looking all over for my misplaced Quack Quack. I couldn't find him anywhere and was becoming quite upset about it. My dad finally decided to join the search and as he sat up and made his way off the ground Quack Quack came into full view. My dad had unknowingly been laying on Quack Quack for a good length of time and Quack Quack didn't resemble his round fluffy self anymore. He was as flat as a pancake- amost unrecognizable. (I will insert here that my dad is not a large man by any means but given Quack Quack's small size, he was an easy target to be squished over a prolonged period of time).

Upon realizing what had happened, I shed a few tears and was quite concerned Quack Quack would never be the same again. This is when my dad summoned me to go get my doctor's kit (the Fisher Price kind) and he announced he would be performing surgery on Quack Quack to make him better. I still remember the walk down the hall to my bedroom, at this point I was half smiling and half crying. I came quickly back with the doctor's kit in tow and handed it over to my dad. At this point he had me leave the room and told me he would call for me when the surgery was complete. Looking back, I'm sure my dad needed me to leave so he could laugh without me seeing him. I of course didn't see the humor in this until years later, after all Quack Quack's life was on the line. I imagine my dad probably gave Quack Quack a good shaking and fluffing up of the stuffing and reformed him to his natural state. Soon, I was called to come back to the surgery room, AKA the family room. Upon my arrival, there was Quack Quack looking just like he should, all plump and fluffy. I had instructions to give him medicine throughout the night and he would be all better by morning. All was well again in my world thanks to my dad.

I loved Quack Quack even more after his near death experience. What I also learned is that my dad loved me so much he would take time away from his football game and concentrate on my beloved stuffed duck. He could have so easily just shook him a few times and thrown him back to me, but no. My dad knew my sensitive heart and my love for Quack Quack so he knew Quack Quack deserved royal treatment. He loved Quack Quack too.

Fast forward 30 plus years and here I am a mother of a daughter who LOVES her stuffed animals. Because she loves her stuffed animals, and I love her, I also love her stuffed animals. They all have a name, and I know each one of them. I don't just say goodnight to my daughter, I say goodnight to whichever stuffed friend she is sleeping with too. When she asks me to hold one of them, I don't just hold it, I actually cradle it and show love to it. My dad taught me important lessons in life and one of the best ones is to love what my children love, it's a wonderful way to their heart. So thank you dad for being such a great dad not only to me but also to Quack Quack. Who knew that little act would be so huge in my book!