My name is Bun-Bun. I was once-upon-a-time a fluffy white and plump bunny.
When Chelsea was a wee baby her cousin Annie gave me to her. I no longer have fur, nor pink velvet in my ears, and my lips have acquired several stitches of red thread to keep them kissable.
I have been lost and found a few times in my seventeen years. When Chelsea was a toddler I went to the grocery store with her and her Mother. After shopping for groceries Chelsea said to her Mother, "Bun bun all gone." And started to cry. Her panicked Mother who treasured her sleep, and who barely spoke a word of French had Chelsea tell the salesclerk her problem. "J'ai perdu mon doudou.*" It seemed everyone in the store stopped shopping and started looking for me.
I was then, as I am now a star. Have you ever known love so sweet as to have a child love you more than candy?
Photo: Chelsea's stuffed toy. Who corrects me each time I say toy. "Mom, Bun-Bun is not a toy!"
*Doudou is a French word to describe a child's favorite toy or belonging.
It's amazing how long we remember those first lovies. When I was little, I had a stuffed lamb I was very fond of. We moved when I was 4 and the little lamb got lost in the move. I've regretted that ever since and that was about 52 years ago!
Posted by: Katy | 21 August 2007 at 11:41 AM
Yes, we have Pippo here, who is in need of repair. How can they love these creatures so much, even as teenagers??
Posted by: tut-tut | 21 August 2007 at 11:48 AM
How sweet and precious is this story.
The Velveteen Rabbit comes to mind.
Rabbit Rabbit.
How adorable
Love Jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | 21 August 2007 at 11:59 AM
Of course Bun-Bun is not a toy. Look at that face, that personality. He's a talisman, a touchstone, a bundle of memories.
Darla
Posted by: Darla | 21 August 2007 at 12:00 PM
Very cute...I love bunnies! I had many of the real ones as pets as a kid. She should take it to college with her, non?
___________________________
"...and everywhere that Chelsea went her bunny was sure to go."
Bun Bun will have a good education.
Posted by: My Melange | 21 August 2007 at 01:18 PM
We have "Lambie". She is now stored in a box in the closet. But in the days when she was needed for night-time snuggling, we had five extra lambies hidden...just in case!
None of them worked like "Lambie"! Mary knew the imposters!
Posted by: Beverly | 21 August 2007 at 01:28 PM
Shops and favourite animals are a fatal combination. Youngest has an owl called Wol who used to be indispensable at bedtime and the places he chose to roost! Once he was reclaimed from a snug niche on a shelf at Clicks the Chemist. Luckily I'd remembered the aisle where I'd spent a long time deliberating over vitamins, as he was tucked well back out of sight with only his feet visible when you peered in.
Precious memories.
Posted by: Kit | 21 August 2007 at 02:06 PM
Oh Bun-Bun brought to mind several well-loved childhood attachments!
I recently was given my babyhood quilt and found it matched our bedroom exactly right now! Maybe something subliminal came to surface after all these years?
Posted by: phyllis | 21 August 2007 at 02:27 PM
No one thought you were her mother? LOL.
What is a doudou, btw?
_______________________
* Doudou means a favorite toy in French.
Posted by: Shannon | 21 August 2007 at 02:40 PM
Of course Bun-Bun is not a toy..!
I had my Lamb until I was 17 and we emigrated. My mother discarded it, thinking I wouldn't notice, and he did not make the trip. When we arrived in Canada and I realised he was gone forever I was very upset.
I still miss him..!
Lamb, like Bun-Bun I'm sure, knew all my secrets, and dried my tears, and helped me sleep.
I'm guessing Bun-bun made the trip to California..?!
Posted by: Sheila | 21 August 2007 at 03:12 PM
I think everyone had a Bun-Bun... well something like her, maybe not quite as stylish though. Mine was a cabbage patch kid that also looked worse/better for wear after many years of friendship.
Posted by: louise | 21 August 2007 at 03:35 PM
I have my Dad's stuffed toy from about 1930, Foxy. You can move Foxy's tail and his head will turn. A most beloved heirloom. There is a book out where people share their stories of beloved companions like BunBun and Foxy. Really a sweet book.
Posted by: martina | 21 August 2007 at 04:04 PM
I always feel lucky after visiting here!
Posted by: susan | 21 August 2007 at 04:11 PM
Bun Bun is to Chelsea as Persqualky is to Blue!
There is nothing quite like a well loved stuffy.
xo
Blue
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 21 August 2007 at 04:11 PM
So cute!!
Reminds me of looking for my daughter's lost doll in the mall.
Have a great day!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | 21 August 2007 at 04:34 PM
Reminds me of The Velveteen Rabbit.
Posted by: cd&m | 21 August 2007 at 04:42 PM
Hi Corey:
Bon Bon is so cool. The facial expression is "IT"
Take care
carole
Posted by: carole | 21 August 2007 at 04:43 PM
Hi Corey:
Bon Bon is so cool. The facial expression is "IT"
Take care
carole
Posted by: carole | 21 August 2007 at 04:43 PM
My little girl has a bunny as well....She sucks her thumb and rubs one ear of the bunny. I often wonder when she will give it up.
Posted by: tommiea | 21 August 2007 at 04:45 PM
My grandson, David has a bunny...bunny...bunny...bun...bun...bun. I swear...you HAVE to get all the bun...buns in or he corrects you! When he goes to bed at night...he has a place in his bed for ALL his stuffed animals...and everyone has special name! He told us they are all his sons!
Posted by: Dee | 21 August 2007 at 04:52 PM
That is the sweetest story. An Elmo "toy" is the favorite around here though with boys I doubt it will last throughout the years.
Posted by: angela | 21 August 2007 at 05:44 PM
Mine was a stuffed yellow floppy-eared dog. It was well loved, but not nearly so much as my brother's; his had to be stitched together many times as its head was separated from its body as a result of his carrying it around by the neck, and I believe it eventually got a turquoise coat sewn on to keep him all together. Such good memories!
Will bun-bun be going to university with Chelsea as her mascot?
Posted by: Star | 21 August 2007 at 07:25 PM
Thank you for this sweet peek down the Bun-Bun hole...
Posted by: Lea | 21 August 2007 at 07:29 PM
Bossy understands. Her children have kissed the mouth off their Poohie. He's also been hugged flat.
Posted by: BOSSY | 21 August 2007 at 07:47 PM
One of the sweetest cutest things ive seen in a long time : )
Posted by: wendy | 21 August 2007 at 07:54 PM
OOoohhh my Bun bun...
ha.ha. He's definitely a star now! Just look at how well he strikes a pose!
And yes he is coming with me to university!
Posted by: RoO | 21 August 2007 at 08:06 PM
We all have our favorite toys/bun-bun's to play with.
Posted by: patpaulk | 21 August 2007 at 08:50 PM
How sweet! Bunbun all gone. Waaaah! He looks like the Velveteen Rabbit! I love that you had her explain her predicament to the sales clerk and that they all helped out!
My 2 1/2 year old has a little blankie that is her favorite thing ever. Luckily, we have three of them and she just uses one at a time. ALl three were small receiving blankets from the same package that she has used since she was a newborn, so they are all equally faded and soft.
Posted by: Maryc | 21 August 2007 at 08:51 PM
Oh!!!sweet Bun-Bun the stories you have heard and the tales you could tell...
Posted by: Mo'a | 21 August 2007 at 10:26 PM
Lapin, Lapin
Where have you been?
Though your fur is thin...
And your mouth in a permanent grin,
You ran off at the marche
and put Corey in a tail spin!
Posted by: ParisBreakfasts | 21 August 2007 at 10:53 PM
Sweet bun-bun! I lost my doudou in a bar when I was 35!! Probably better not to ask what my much loved octopus (really just some strands of black wool after 29 years of loving) was doing in a bar!
Posted by: Di | 21 August 2007 at 11:01 PM
How DO you tell so many beautiful stories? This should be a childrens book.
Posted by: Karen Cole | 21 August 2007 at 11:25 PM
Awww....I have a Rabbity (my twin sister has an Elephanty) and she/he has a special place in my home and in my heart. I'm so glad that you found Bun-Bun the Doudou.
Posted by: susanna | 22 August 2007 at 12:45 AM
Thank goodness you explained "doo doo". Very different meaning in English.
xoxo
Gail
Posted by: Gail | 22 August 2007 at 02:40 AM
Hang on to bun bun! I lost my first teddy bear sometime in grammar school only to find him up in my mother's attic when we moved her in with us. I was in my mid 50's at the time. Teddy now has a place of honor in my bedroom. Teddy is 57 yrs old now.
Posted by: Sandy | 22 August 2007 at 02:58 AM
Hang on to bun bun! I lost my first teddy bear sometime in grammar school only to find him up in my mother's attic when we moved her in with us. I was in my mid 50's at the time. Teddy now has a place of honor in my bedroom. Teddy is 57 yrs old now.
Posted by: Sandy | 22 August 2007 at 02:59 AM
That is painfully sweet! So the baby new French from birth... And English too?? WOW!!! ;)
Posted by: A Fanciful Twist | 22 August 2007 at 03:12 AM
Bun-Bun is adorable! Who could resist that face! My daughter still has her blankie and still sleeps with it. It's very tattered, but very much loved as I know Bun-Bun is!
Again, thank you for sharing your lovely story...
Alice
Posted by: Alice | 22 August 2007 at 03:12 AM
Chelsea will cherish Bun Bun always.
I have hung to to Ba Ba (the blankee) quilted some of it into a little piece.
Posted by: Stephanie | 22 August 2007 at 04:50 AM
("mom! - that's personal")
Sammy (the dog stuffie)
took his first trip
on an airplane...
to Omaha
to visit the Grandparents
the Auntie, Uncle
and the grownup - almost
cousins...
Sammy used to go everywhere
almost - now, less so
still...
but we are a little
quiet about it
once there was a blankie
many a quilted square
and these dou dous
have a smell
like heaven
xox - eb.
Posted by: eb | 22 August 2007 at 06:22 AM
Corey, what a sweet photo! I just love how his fur has been absolutely loved off!! I'm so glad Chelsea still has her Bun-bun. xxoo, Dawn
Posted by: Dawn | 22 August 2007 at 06:37 AM
Hello Bun-Bun!
My name is "Pouffalou". I'm a French "doudou". As old as you...I was mended a hundred times, was lost and found as often too...
"Poussaou" joined me when my little master's sister was born...over 14 years ago.
The other day, our bag was opened and we got dug out. Shapeless, all holes, ... I thought we would be thrown away... but our teen-aged masters started to recover all sorts of memories from their young age and sounded so pleased to see us again - They handled us with great care...
That was short but sweet though...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 22 August 2007 at 09:36 AM
Nestled in the pillows and mementos all bound for college my little girl all grown up could never make the trip without her faithful teddy xox N
Posted by: Nicol | 22 August 2007 at 05:28 PM
My oldest and my youngest once had the same stuffed skinny little dog. One day the youngest forgot hers in bed in a New York hotel. When we came back in the evening, the beds were made and the little ones doggie was gone. The tears!
Christmas Eve soon after, the little one opened a present from her older sister. Guess what was in there? (And no, the hotel in New York insisted no stuffed doggie had been found.)
Posted by: Merisi's Vienna | 23 August 2007 at 07:10 AM
Bonjour !
Je m'appelle Nounours. I'm an old French teddy. Was given to my mistress when she was 4. French word "doudou" did not exist in my time. Anyway, went everywhere with her. She used to carry me in her arms or in her doll pram.
When her daughter was told my life story, she put me in her own bedroom and looked after me as a precious vintage piece...
She never held me as a doudou as she had her own - Poussaou - a nice one...
Posted by: Marie-Noëlle | 23 August 2007 at 08:21 AM
This is so sweet - BunBun makes me think of the Velveteen Rabbit - which I can't even think about without crying. BunBun, you are beautiful!
Posted by: tinker | 24 August 2007 at 03:55 PM
I'm assuming that Bun-Bun will go with her to school, then.
I love that sweet girl's "Not a toy!" statement. She looks all grown up, but she will always be your Baby.
Lidy
Posted by: frenchgardenhouse | 25 August 2007 at 10:55 PM
What an adorable bun bun.. he would be right at home with my well chewed rabbits..
I had a cat pyjama case when I was a baby 49 years ago!!!!) and it was called Bobbada! Strange but true..
Love to visit your blog and your vintage treasures are formidable!!!
A bientot
Michele
Posted by: Michele | 12 November 2007 at 08:21 PM