Soft Sculpture

 Soft sculpture appreciation is generally regarded as only something the very young and the very old, know. I am in the old category with no shame about it and I am renewing my love of soft sculptures. The young who once owned hoards of them and now replaced them with living pets, know all about these former soft friends. Like the jobless and workless elders, we know the value and joy of play and playfulness that the "other side", the serious workers, have forgotten or abandoned. Unfortunately, the world at large and at crisis, looks down on such as Teddy Bears and other stuffed "toys" as childish and sad. Too bad; their bad. Recently, I have come to enjoy the soft sculpture  world, not as a crutch in avoiding, as they say, "old age loneliness", but as true appreciation of its beauty. These things are intricately and finely made. If the King of England whose life is regulated, has a Teddy bear and he does, there must be something compelling about it all. When my husband was in hospice, the gift shop  had a large stuffed Black Labrador holding open their door. Daily I passed by seeing it standing solemnly there and one day bought it to take home with me to hug on bad days. That was sixteen years ago, and I have him still sitting under my kitchen bar chair.  He stares at me with his button eyes expressing something that changes and often startles both me and my visitors for a second.  Since then, I have bought one or two other  soft sculptures just for the fun of having them peek out from tiny places. My three foot tall spotted giraffe that stands beside the pile of bedroom tiger pillows has become quite a pal. The little cat that hangs bright eyed off the edge of a  book shelf is a quick smile, too. These "toys" are as valid as the ceramic china sculptures sitting on friends' tables. I am surprised at how well the softies are made and at the cheer they bring. Next time you see an old person with them, don't let your youngish uneducated mind on the truths of geriatrics, fool you. It's our secret to share. You might like to try one. Return and relax for a bit, back to your delightful childhood. It's okay. The world needs you and this.