If you have ever met Kaelem, you know that the thing he loves most in this world is his beloved bear (particurlarly, the attached pacifier). After being sick all last week, Kaelem became even more in love with his bear. It probably didn’t help that because I felt so sorry for him while he was sick that I relented and gave in to his cries for bear.

Last night, Jed was left to do the usual bedtime routine by himself while I went to my Bible study at Steph’s. When I got back, I asked him as I normally do when I’ve been away, “Did Kaelem go down all right?” “Unh-uh,” is what I think he said. No? Kaelem had been feeling better that day so I expected him to be back to his normal sleep schdeule. Turns out, I, horrible bad mama, went off in the car with the bear that I forgot to bring into the house after a trip to the store. Oh no! It took an hour for Jed to get Kaelem to sleep last night.

We discussed the situation and decided maybe now it was time to finally put the bear to rest. All day long Kaelem begged, pleaded, cried, wailed, screamed, and said please with a sad face for his bear. We’ve just been telling him that bear went bye-bye (Jed even going into detail that bear bought a foreclosed house in Florida and was enjoying the sunny weather there). It’s a little sad that he didn’t get a chance to say good-bye, but then do we ever when loved ones die?

I’m happy to say that it only took half an hour tonight for him to fall asleep. I think that’s really impressive given that I can count on one hand the number of times he’s fallen asleep in his whole life without a pacifier.

I guess I’m glad we’re doing this now. It might have been easier later when he would have naturally outgrown it, but in all honesty, little bear was quickly becoming an idol in his life. We’re praying that Kaelem will instead find comfort and rest in the Lord.