I miss you.

I miss cuddling with you, nestled by your side, deep under the covers.

Remember the first time you saw me? Your sister showed you that scary movie. You were terrified of your closet and refused to sleep without all the lights on. Your parents were at their wits end.

Then we met. And I stood guard in the dark, watching while you slept. I kept you safe.

Remember the secrets you told me? Whispering in my ear as we hid under the comforter? I never shared them; I kept them sacred.

My lips are still sealed. Well, stitched shut would be more apt, I suppose.

I miss laying on your bed during the day, positioned lovingly between the pillows, waiting for you to return from school. The way you made up your bed in the morning, yawning with sleepiness….then the light kiss you’d give me before nestling me on the top of your bed. I held that place of honor for years.

It’s been a long time since I felt softness, my friend. This shelf…its hard. And dusty. Almost…neglected. Not that I’m complaining, mind.

Tell me…is it my fur? I know parts are missing. I remember the day you gave me the haircut with your first pair of scissors. You left some gaps….does it bother you now? I think it makes me more interesting, myself.

Or maybe its my ear. Remember the time your dog dragged me under the house and chewed on me? It was really no big deal; a quick wash and I was back to normal, almost. My ear is a little shredded, true. But I think it lends me a dashing air.

Could it be my tail? It’s unraveling, true. How many times did we play that game where you would swing me by the tail and launch me through the air? I loved that game….but it was rough on the tail. Nothing a little needle and thread can’t fix.

Whatever your reasons, they don’t matter. Nothing matters, except that we’re together again. That’s all I care about.

Take me off this shelf, my friend. I long to hug you again. I’ll stand guard while you sleep, and I’ll keep all your secrets sacred.

I miss you.

Awwwww, poor tiger. Go give him a hug and put him back on the bed.

It's been awhile since I have been on ATS. Regardless, you (Smylygrl) had commented and gave me some undeserved "kudo's" regarding a post I authored in Februaury. To the point, I'll return the compliment and kudos by saying you are an incredible writer yourself. Simply one of the most beautiful things written that's been read by these world-weary eyes in quite sometime. It took me all the way back to when I was a small child. A place I wish I could go back to if just for a day....

Well done!
While reading it all I could think of was the song When Somebody Loved Me from Toy Story.
You nailed the premise of the contest.