Day 7

Day 7 of my 60 day journey: My most treasured item.  It may not be what you expect.  Then again, it may be exactly what some of you may expect ;).
My most treasure item is my Pink Panther. 

Pink Panther

That's right.  He's a stuffed animal.  He was also my very first friend.  I acquired Pink from my Daddy during a trip to the store (Wal-Mart, I think...).  Apparently I was crying and my Dad did that thing that all new parents do and then immediately learn their lesson about.  He grabbed the first toy off the shelf and handed it to me. 
Now, I was only about as big as Pink Panther at the time, but my Daddy says it was love at first sight, touch, chew, etc.   Of course, I quieted down and when they were checking out, Dad unsuccessfully tried to detach Pink from me.  Needless to say, I wailed and the checker looked at my Dad like he was murdering me, my mom proclaimed she'd told him so, and I got a new best buddy.
Pink Panther and I have been together since I was just a few months old.  That's a long time folks.  He's been to a ton of places with me and only suffered a few minor accidents.  He's going "blind" and no longer has stuffing in his neck (I used carry him in the crook of my arm around the neck), and there's yellow stitching on his hiney from a small operation Dr. Mom performed when I was about 2 or 3.
I've rescued him from the cat, the dog, an apartment fire, and my "niece" (who I now have to hide him from because I'm afraid she'll love him too much and I won't be able to give him to her).   He still goes to Falls Creek with me and just about any other trip that lasts for more than a couple days.  And you better believe the second Andrew's out the door on a trip, Pink, reclaims his spot on and in the bed, right along with Sophie-cat (who is still bitter about being banished to the laundry room at night).
I know what you're thinking.  Yes, I do realize that he's just a stuffed animal and I'm an adult.  That doesn't mean he can't be my very best friend forever or that I'm a grown up.  So there.
Besides, I still haven't quite given up on my "Christopher Robin/ Velveteen Rabbit" theory.  You know, my Pink must have a little garden with a lovely little panther cave somewhere around here where he lives and plays when I'm not available.  Or perhaps when I have loved him as much and long as I can, he'll be granted a real life as a real panther someday.  ;)
To tell you the truth, Pink Panther is my childhood all wrapped up in worn, pink cloth.  In him are all my hopes and dreams, my tears and fears.  He holds my secrets, silly and not so silly.  He heard all my childish prayers and stands witness to my answers.  He's not just a stuffed animal to me.  He's a symbol of who I am and who I am going to be. 

And, I am not afraid to admit that I love him very much, that silly old Pink.