He was an answer to many years of prayer this small, young boy child. Father, could I have a baby that weighs less than 5 pounds and is less than three months old when we receive him? No, I was not asking that a child be born like that for me, but when one came along that needed a mother, I was more than willing. When I received the call, this was the last thing on my mind, but I readily agreed, oh yes, we would bring him home, this small boy child. And so the fairy tale begins. Yes, there were many, many problems, but they seemed not so important. We would not allow them to cloud the picture of what love can truly be.

Mother and child begin on their journey back in time to the 100-Acre Woods. Why the 100-Acre Woods? Why that's where Christopher Robin played and spent his childhood days with his best friend in the entire forest Winnie the Pooh, Pooh for short. You know the fellow:

He lived his life through the lives of others. Though he never tasted honey, not a morning would pass without Pooh and his father's sharing of the cappuccino. Though he never was able to have Music Therapy, he would take part in Music Therapy during the sessions of his brothers and sisters. He was able to live his life through the lives of his family. That silly old bear, he knew how to live a good life. He was always eager to lend a helping smile wherever he could, always wanting to make one feel better. One of his great joys was when one of his brothers or sisters would be sent to time out, this would cause many smiles and quite a few laughs for this little Pooh Bear.

" Pooh felt that he ought to say something helpful about it, but didn't quite know what. So he decided to do something helpful instead. "Eeyore," he said solemnly, "I, Winnie -the-Pooh, will find your tail for you. "Thank-you, Pooh," answered Eeyore. "You're a real friend," said he. "Not like Some," he said." *

The journey continued over a three-year span. The two trying to put a whole lifetime of loving and living into a short span of time. Living inside a world of games, songs, snuggles and grins. Never leaving the side of one another. Trying as hard as they may for each other to shield them from a world of hurt and pain. Only to share sunrise to sunset as a most incredible time. Though many were touched by this little Pooh Bear, nobody was able to enter into the 100-Acre Woods with them. They would come out and share often, but only from the arms of each other. During their time in the woods others could watch but the magic was for the two.

His wisdom was great, his words were few, that most wonderful, funderful bear. He shared great joy to those he would meet. And since he was a bear of few words, a smile, a grin, a laugh, a giggle or a nod would do. Pooh was a very social sort of guy, it was said this was always a great strength for him.

But then one day the world of pain and hurt snuck into this 100 Acre Woods. The sadness grew in their eyes as they strived to push it back out. For awhile it was fine again, until that night not long ago (February 28, 1997) when the Pooh Bear found life too difficult to bear. Their world was broken apart and they were separated the grief too much to bear. Life becoming too hard to live. Then the prayer, Father, take the Pooh Bear home and make him whole again. Yes, my Pooh Bear you may go home now. Our days in the 100-Acre Woods are over and no longer to be. Though this is known to be best, my little Pooh is finally whole and at rest. There is no more sorrow to be known for this little one. Know he is able to run and have great fun. My sorrow is only for myself. The loss is felt in such a great way. Oh, Father we miss those days we spent in the 100 Acre Woods.

"Pooh, promise you won't forget about me, ever. Not even when I'm a hundred." Pooh thought for a little. "How old shall I be then?" "Ninety-nine." Pooh nodded.
"I promise," he said.*

Oh, please Pooh never forget me as we will never forget you! I will miss those days in the 100 Acre Woods as your Father will miss those quiet morning chats and sips of cappuccino, and those high swinging times. Your brothers and sisters will miss the fact that you lived your life through them and their eyes. All those hearts you have touched will never quite be the same as they live out their days. The 100 Acre Woods will never quite be the same, without that wonderful, funderful Little Pooh Bear.

* Taken from Winnie-the-Pooh, Now We Are Six

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please e-mail Isaiah's mom

• Return to About Isaiah--Main Page
• Return to Isaiah's Corner--Main Page