Comments on: Eye for an Eye http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html ... oh that's right... it's me. Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:03:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Tricialew http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63860 Tricialew Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:08:37 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63860 The great thing about the way you write is that I can see it all happening in a fuzzy vignette-like movie screen...sometimes in slow motion as in the teddy bear's first fall into your path and then the eyeball eliminating tumble. Great story and thanks for sharing it. The great thing about the way you write is that I can see it all happening in a fuzzy vignette-like movie screen…sometimes in slow motion as in the teddy bear’s first fall into your path and then the eyeball eliminating tumble. Great story and thanks for sharing it.

]]> By: kelseroo http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63800 kelseroo Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:08:58 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63800 Lovely story, John! I think the toys we loved the most as kids got the most abuse. That is wonderful that you kept him for so long! Most of my toys that got a lot of abuse my mom eventually would throw away. Makes me a little sad thinking about some of my old buddies... Definitely keep more posts like this coming! I like the non-Lost posts:-) Lovely story, John! I think the toys we loved the most as kids got the most abuse. That is wonderful that you kept him for so long! Most of my toys that got a lot of abuse my mom eventually would throw away. Makes me a little sad thinking about some of my old buddies… Definitely keep more posts like this coming! I like the non-Lost posts:-)

]]> By: Vanessa http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63797 Vanessa Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:54:12 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63797 Everyone! I loved reading all the little stories about everyone's very loved lifetime pals. It's always comforting to have a childhood relic that meant so much. They have been with all of you through so many ordinary and extraordinary moments in life. My beloved "Sleepy Kitty" that my mother made for me as a wee young'n is sitting on the rocker across the room from me as I type. I took her everywhere, and slept with her tucked under my cheek for many years. She came in great handy when I was pregnant with my first child, and I tucked her under my growing belly so he could do his flips and kicks at night with a little safety cushion for myself. She came with me to the hospital when he was born, and that first night I held him between me and Sleepy Kitty, and it felt like peace. She has been tucked beneath his cheek on several nights when she catches his eye and he insists on taking her with him to sleep. She is a unfailing source of comfort. She is an extension of my Mother, who made both of us. :) Everyone! I loved reading all the little stories about everyone’s very loved lifetime pals. It’s always comforting to have a childhood relic that meant so much. They have been with all of you through so many ordinary and extraordinary moments in life. My beloved “Sleepy Kitty” that my mother made for me as a wee young’n is sitting on the rocker across the room from me as I type. I took her everywhere, and slept with her tucked under my cheek for many years. She came in great handy when I was pregnant with my first child, and I tucked her under my growing belly so he could do his flips and kicks at night with a little safety cushion for myself. She came with me to the hospital when he was born, and that first night I held him between me and Sleepy Kitty, and it felt like peace. She has been tucked beneath his cheek on several nights when she catches his eye and he insists on taking her with him to sleep. She is a unfailing source of comfort. She is an extension of my Mother, who made both of us. :)

]]> By: Kyle http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63789 Kyle Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:12:11 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63789 The earliest stuffed animal I can remember is one I got when I was 2. For my birthday, I received a "Bert" stuffed animal and my twin brother got "Ernie". A few years later, Bert was starting to show his age, so I was given another Bert. With the logic of a 5-year-old, the original Bert became "Old Bert" and the new one (which was smaller) became "Little New Bert". But the original Bert was never overthrown as my favorite--even as he became more and more bionic as my grandmother patched him up every time she visited. The earliest stuffed animal I can remember is one I got when I was 2. For my birthday, I received a “Bert” stuffed animal and my twin brother got “Ernie”. A few years later, Bert was starting to show his age, so I was given another Bert. With the logic of a 5-year-old, the original Bert became “Old Bert” and the new one (which was smaller) became “Little New Bert”. But the original Bert was never overthrown as my favorite–even as he became more and more bionic as my grandmother patched him up every time she visited.

]]> By: M.December http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63750 M.December Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:08:28 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63750 oh my God this was insanely touching. oh my God this was insanely touching.

]]> By: Mélanie http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63744 Mélanie Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:53:43 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63744 What a cute story. I wish I had a stuffed animal with such a great story. :) What a cute story. I wish I had a stuffed animal with such a great story.
:)

]]> By: John Cabrera http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63735 John Cabrera Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:23:37 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63735 Tealv8..... D: Well I'll start by saying that I'm right now in the process of a deep apartment cleaning, and I'm using a lot of Clorox. But after reading your comment my eyes started stinging real bad. Thank you for sharing that. My heart goes out to your nephew. Tealv8….. D: Well I’ll start by saying that I’m right now in the process of a deep apartment cleaning, and I’m using a lot of Clorox. But after reading your comment my eyes started stinging real bad. Thank you for sharing that. My heart goes out to your nephew.

]]> By: k8hinote http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63734 k8hinote Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:19:30 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63734 I think that story pretty much sums up why I like you so much. :) I think that story pretty much sums up why I like you so much. :)

]]> By: Bev http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63725 Bev Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:47:42 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63725 Very nice story, John. I still have a stuffed dog named Gaylord, who only has one eye, and a doll named Timmy that my mother made for me. Mom tried to give them to my nieces when I was in my twenties and she assumed that I had outgrown them, but I got them back. They are very dear to me. I especially cherish the doll since my mother has been in heaven for 12 years. I am at a mature age . . . let's just say that I've been eligible for AARP for a few years . . . but I plan on keeping these treasures forever. Very nice story, John. I still have a stuffed dog named Gaylord, who only has one eye, and a doll named Timmy that my mother made for me. Mom tried to give them to my nieces when I was in my twenties and she assumed that I had outgrown them, but I got them back. They are very dear to me. I especially cherish the doll since my mother has been in heaven for 12 years. I am at a mature age . . . let’s just say that I’ve been eligible for AARP for a few years . . . but I plan on keeping these treasures forever.

]]> By: Vanalam http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63720 Vanalam Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:16:53 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63720 Thanks for sharing your story about Joey, John. I've always wondered about that adorable bear in the photo. The part of the story in the toy store reminds me of a part of the movie "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" in which a sock monkey on the toy store shelf is desperately reaching out to one of the people in the store, begging to be picked up and loved. With my penchant for anthropomorphizing things, I imagine that's what Joey was doing to you, reaching out, falling and, luckily for him, getting the attention of someone who would love him for the rest of his life (even though he might lose his eyes someone along the line ;)). And Ubi was lucky that you grabbed her (even if it was without much thought) for your sister, someone who would love her, when she could have easily been considered a "misfit toy" by others and wasted away in that toy bin. Sounds like it was a happy story in the end for both people and stuffed animals involved. :) Thanks for sharing your story about Joey, John. I’ve always wondered about that adorable bear in the photo. The part of the story in the toy store reminds me of a part of the movie “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” in which a sock monkey on the toy store shelf is desperately reaching out to one of the people in the store, begging to be picked up and loved. With my penchant for anthropomorphizing things, I imagine that’s what Joey was doing to you, reaching out, falling and, luckily for him, getting the attention of someone who would love him for the rest of his life (even though he might lose his eyes someone along the line ;) ). And Ubi was lucky that you grabbed her (even if it was without much thought) for your sister, someone who would love her, when she could have easily been considered a “misfit toy” by others and wasted away in that toy bin. Sounds like it was a happy story in the end for both people and stuffed animals involved. :)

]]> By: TEALV8 http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63697 TEALV8 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:37:02 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63697 i gave my nephew joey (as coincendence would have it) a little bear for xmas over twenty years ago. it was a last minute item i pulled off the shelf to even up his gifts w/ his brother & sisters. when i got it home, i realized that it wasnt made very well & the color didnt look like a color youd give a male child (a honey color), but i didnt have much of a choice. i wrapped him up & put him under the tree. turns out my nephew loved that little bear & named him ted. him & ted were inseparable for most of his childhood. over the years i re-attached many things on ted. he was slowly being "loved" to pieces. when my nephew graduated i bought ted a little bear sized cap & gown, & he sat next the grad cake. my nephew joey has not had an easy time in the last decade. when my brother died, ted accompanied my nephew to his fathers funeral. ted has spent time in half way houses & even the psych ward as joey has tried to re-assemble his life. my nephew says that the only "person" that has never let him down is that little bear & while that breaks my heart, im glad that he has something that comforts him when his life seems to be in chaos. i gave my nephew joey (as coincendence would have it) a little bear for xmas over twenty years ago. it was a last minute item i pulled off the shelf to even up his gifts w/ his brother & sisters. when i got it home, i realized that it wasnt made very well & the color didnt look like a color youd give a male child (a honey color), but i didnt have much of a choice. i wrapped him up & put him under the tree.

turns out my nephew loved that little bear & named him ted. him & ted were inseparable for most of his childhood. over the years i re-attached many things on ted. he was slowly being “loved” to pieces.

when my nephew graduated i bought ted a little bear sized cap & gown, & he sat next the grad cake.

my nephew joey has not had an easy time in the last decade. when my brother died, ted accompanied my nephew to his fathers funeral. ted has spent time in half way houses & even the psych ward as joey has tried to re-assemble his life.

my nephew says that the only “person” that has never let him down is that little bear & while that breaks my heart, im glad that he has something that comforts him when his life seems to be in chaos.

]]> By: Casey McKinnon http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63694 Casey McKinnon Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:21:55 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63694 I should've kept count of the number of times I "Awww"ed while reading this... it was at least 4. Really sweet story, and I feel your pain... maybe someday I'll tell you the tale of Pinky Bunny ;) I should’ve kept count of the number of times I “Awww”ed while reading this… it was at least 4. Really sweet story, and I feel your pain… maybe someday I’ll tell you the tale of Pinky Bunny ;)

]]> By: steph http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63692 steph Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:10:45 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63692 yeah, it most likely WAS because YOU picked it that she loved it so much. i'm a younger sister, so i'm just going from my own experience here. older brothers are godlike. john, i've followed you on twitter and been a "friend" on fb for a while now, and i'm always delighted by what you share with us. yeah, it most likely WAS because YOU picked it that she loved it so much. i’m a younger sister, so i’m just going from my own experience here. older brothers are godlike.

john, i’ve followed you on twitter and been a “friend” on fb for a while now, and i’m always delighted by what you share with us.

]]> By: kimberly http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63685 kimberly Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:43:42 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63685 great post. i especially like that he is still around as a reminder of these important memories. people often find it too easy to recall painful times in life. the good times define us even more because we have to make a deliberate effort to see them and hold onto them. great post.
i especially like that he is still around as a reminder of these important memories. people often find it too easy to recall painful times in life. the good times define us even more because we have to make a deliberate effort to see them and hold onto them.

]]> By: Diana / bloemche http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63684 Diana / bloemche Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:30:34 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63684 Oh John - that´s the cutest story ever (and as I´m NO Lost fan I´m glad you can post about something else as well *cough*). So happy my comment inspired you to tell us about Joey. I also have one stuffed animal (it´s a hippo called Nili & we stick together since I was 3 years old) which sleeps in my bed every night. You know, sometimes it´s weird, I have the feeling I know you so well & from time to time you still surprise me (in a positive way)! And isn´t it weird that I have the feeling knowing you well?! Um. I´m kinda sad that you don´t have a livejournal account - otherwise I could share some of my stuff with you as well. xoxo D. Oh John –
that´s the cutest story ever (and as I´m NO Lost fan I´m glad you can post about something else as well *cough*).
So happy my comment inspired you to tell us about Joey. I also have one stuffed animal (it´s a hippo called Nili & we stick together since I was 3 years old) which sleeps in my bed every night.
You know, sometimes it´s weird, I have the feeling I know you so well & from time to time you still surprise me (in a positive way)!
And isn´t it weird that I have the feeling knowing you well?! Um. I´m kinda sad that you don´t have a livejournal account – otherwise I could share some of my stuff with you as well.
xoxo
D.

]]> By: Jeannie http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63676 Jeannie Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:09:33 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63676 Oh my god this was the cutest little story ever. Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with us. I'm always amazed that some people can hold onto relics of their childhood for this long. Mostly because I myself have never been able to. Or I never think to. Which is something that I do regret. So now all I have are memories.. and sooner or later even those will be gone! Sad face.. Oh my god this was the cutest little story ever. Thank you for sharing this part of yourself with us.

I’m always amazed that some people can hold onto relics of their childhood for this long. Mostly because I myself have never been able to. Or I never think to. Which is something that I do regret. So now all I have are memories.. and sooner or later even those will be gone! Sad face..

]]> By: @carol34uk http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63665 @carol34uk Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:24:27 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63665 Nice post John. It's rare for blokes to discuss having teddies, in fact this is a 1st for me. I feel the same way about my teddy (Pookie) he still has both eyes but he does have a burnt spot. It's a party scar. Nice post John. It’s rare for blokes to discuss having teddies, in fact this is a 1st for me.
I feel the same way about my teddy (Pookie) he still has both eyes but he does have a burnt spot. It’s a party scar.

]]> By: caren http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63660 caren Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:58:19 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63660 aww, John! Don't feel bad about it! Your aunt asked if you should get something for your sister. You could have said no but you picked something out for her. Maybe you didn't put as much thought into it as you would now, but at 5 years old it was a thoughtful gift. And also, you were 5 and had just found a magical bear that made you feel like the luckiest kid on earth. For one moment, all that mattered was you and Joey. Everyone needs to be a little selfish at one point or another, and that's ok. That was your moment and not spending the time to pick out something you knew your sister would love was you being that ok-type of selfish. You needed to be special at that moment as a tribute to Joey. You also asked how your sister looked past the imperfections of her beaver-bear? Maybe the imperfections reminded her that nothing is perfect. But in her eyes, it was perfect because it reminded her of the day her older brother shared those special first moments with Joey with her. aww, John! Don’t feel bad about it! Your aunt asked if you should get something for your sister. You could have said no but you picked something out for her. Maybe you didn’t put as much thought into it as you would now, but at 5 years old it was a thoughtful gift.

And also, you were 5 and had just found a magical bear that made you feel like the luckiest kid on earth. For one moment, all that mattered was you and Joey. Everyone needs to be a little selfish at one point or another, and that’s ok. That was your moment and not spending the time to pick out something you knew your sister would love was you being that ok-type of selfish. You needed to be special at that moment as a tribute to Joey.

You also asked how your sister looked past the imperfections of her beaver-bear? Maybe the imperfections reminded her that nothing is perfect. But in her eyes, it was perfect because it reminded her of the day her older brother shared those special first moments with Joey with her.

]]> By: Pauline http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63659 Pauline Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:56:54 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63659 Having trouble finding the right adjective to describe this post. Sweet is the first that came to mind but I don't think you look at your actions in the narrative as entirely sweet... but there are moments of sweetness with both you and your sister, your 5YO motives aside. I really love what Joey has come to mean symbolically. It's not only a reminder that hard knocks in life are what make us interesting but that sometimes it's the imperfections that make something (or someone) lovable... I bet you that bear had a blast falling off that railing... after all... he jumped to you in the first place. Perhaps he recognized in you a similar penchant for falling in some way? Just be thankful it was his eye and not his head that fell off. Seriously, I speak from experience. (As a former Catholic I'm still fascinated by the story of Lourdes. So cool you've been there... even though you were so young.) Having trouble finding the right adjective to describe this post. Sweet is the first that came to mind but I don’t think you look at your actions in the narrative as entirely sweet… but there are moments of sweetness with both you and your sister, your 5YO motives aside.
I really love what Joey has come to mean symbolically. It’s not only a reminder that hard knocks in life are what make us interesting but that sometimes it’s the imperfections that make something (or someone) lovable…
I bet you that bear had a blast falling off that railing… after all… he jumped to you in the first place. Perhaps he recognized in you a similar penchant for falling in some way?
Just be thankful it was his eye and not his head that fell off. Seriously, I speak from experience.

(As a former Catholic I’m still fascinated by the story of Lourdes. So cool you’ve been there… even though you were so young.)

]]> By: Caryl http://www.johncabrera.com/general/eye-for-an-eye.html/comment-page-1#comment-63653 Caryl Mon, 15 Feb 2010 17:40:55 +0000 http://www.johncabrera.com/?p=3655#comment-63653 I love this story and the connection between you and your bear, Joey. A lot is said between the lines and it all brings a smile to my face. I love this story and the connection between you and your bear, Joey. A lot is said between the lines and it all brings a smile to my face.

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