lost monkey

[Dragonmother]

My family of four includes a twelve-year-old daughter, Camille, and a nine-year old son, Wolf. The monkey was Wolfie's.
It was a cheap beanie type toy- three for five buck at the drugstore, but this stupid monkey has become the family avatar or something. Now that he's lost, we are all heartbroken. My husband said "I feel like I've left one of my kids behind"
Here's what we are doing about it. We know a boy who has the same toy monkey, and he said that if we couldn't find another one he would give his to my son. That's incredibly generous, because this boy is a collector, and doesn't like to give away stuff. So it's a measure of his love for Wolfie. Wolf understands that the monkey was part of us all, and he has to take responsibility for replacing it. He has to ask Greg if he wil part with it, and what are his terms.
Meanwhile, we have to seperate Monk-a-Monk's spirit from the toy it was housed in. One of the other toy monkeys seems to have room to host a second spirit, so tonight we will perform a drawing spell to call Monk-a-Monk home to us, to reside in another toy for awhile, untill we can find a body for him.
I have to say- I was raised an atheist, and a rationalist. If my dad were dead, he'd be rolling in his grave LOL! I've become animistic and so much more in touch with my emotins, which used to scare me.

We are learning about Spirit with this. The physical toy itself is only part of the equation. Our family has poured so much into the toy that, like the Velveteen Rabbit, it became real. We can bring that real part back to us, and when people leave us, we learn, the love is not lost.

[Faery-Wings]

I can relate, as a mom and as a child. My dad gave me a Raggedy Ann doll for my first Christmas and she is part of my family too. I still have her, she is on a high shelf of my dresser. She is now almost 33 years old and almost bald, the stuffing is coming out in random areas, her one foot is falling off and her other arm is loosing stiches from when my Dr. Mom tried to sew it back on when I was 5. Her face is filthy and tear stained- my tears, not hers. But she is one of my most beautiful treasures. very few people understandstand this, but she has a soul, too, I believe. My husband scored many, many points with me as I "introduced" them after we had gotten engaged (yup, I was all teary too!). The fact that he understood (and still married me!!!:p) meant so much to me. My mom, many years ago offered to get me a new doll to replace her! Never!!

I think that it is a terrific idea to have the Monk-a-monk's spirit go into the new monkey. I have two young kids and this will happen to one of thier toys too, I am sure. And I think it just reinforces the concept that our souls can return into a new body in a concrete way that your kids can understand. Blessings to you and your family. And to Monk a -Monk too.

Chris

[Dragonmother]

Chris, now I'm crying and laughiong at the same time... Thank you for understanding.
AS you see from my designation I am a toymaker. I have at this moment a Raggedy Ann doll to repair for a family. I want to do the absolute least possible on her, to stabilize her, and protect her a little. I added a "real" heart into her stuffing- an Amythest crystal.
I will enter the drawing spell, when we do it, and how it went.

[Fawn]

Did you say it was a Beanie Baby monkey?? What did it look like or do you remember its hang tag's name inside? I might be able to help you for I collect them too.
Or was it a knock off of the Beanie Baby brand?

[Dragonmother]

This little guy is a knock-off, made by Imperial toy Co. He is tan and taupe, about the size of your fist, and sort of sprawls out flat, with a fully sculpted head. His eyes are printed plastic, and look straight up at you, His mouth is formed in two stiches, straight across, and if I can make a decent sketch I will post it! He and his brothers were sold in Walgreen's at three for ten bucks, and then they went to three for five bucks. Keep your eyes open for him in the thrift stores!
WE have a lot of Ty Beanies, and we do have most of themonkeys. We seem to have a thing for monkeys around here! But Monk-a-Monk was something else entirely. No other toy we have embodies his spirit of pure fun.

Our ritual;
The whole family participated. I made Wolfie shower (he needed it anyway) and Camille changed into a white blouse and her sky blue Ren-faire skirt. This helped them understand that there was something serious going on, and not merely circle . Wolf built an altar out of blocks (Maple, a tree denoting the pleasures of life) and carved an athame out of a popsicle stick, wrapping the handle in colored ribbons. Today was Isis' day, and as she is the mother, we felt it was appropriate to light blue candles for her, and ask her to lead Monk-a-Monk's spirit away from its physical shell and back to our home. Wolf selected another toy, a leopard, as a temporary house for it. We lit a white candle, and told his spirit to follow the Moon's light untill he saw the light of the white candle, and we all held hands high, and directed him in, dropping our hands down over the alter as he came swiftly home. When we find an appropriate vessel for this special souls, we will help him transfer into it.
Goddess, am I tired! *grin*

[Faery-Wings]

It sounds like you did a great job with Monk-a-monk. The ritual sounds beautiful and it is really nice that you rchildren participated so fully in it. You must have a very special family.

BB

Chris:cutie:

[Lavender]

That ritual sounds so beautiful! Its going to be something your kids will remember. I do understand how you feel about your stuffies. Ours are part of our family too. I don't tell very many people this but I carry around a little polar bear with me. :D I make little miniature teddy bears. Even if I use the same material, same pattern, each bear comes out different. I always think it's their personality coming through.