Author Linda Sue Park asks:
“Imagine your home is on fire. You’re allowed to save one thing.
Your family and pets are safe, so don’t worry about them.”
In a house filled
with art,
travel mementos,
heirlooms,
my eye zeroes in
on a football-shaped
stuffed animal.
Army,
a worn brown-stripped
armadillo,
joined the family in 1996.
Until Army’s arrival,
my three-year old son
had shunned all stuffed animals —
no Winnie the Pooh, Peter Rabbit,
or Bert & Ernie rested
in his junior bed.
Picked up
at the San Antonio airport
by my perpetually traveling husband,
Army was an after thought…
until he wasn’t.
Our son Nash carried him everywhere.
Army has been to London,
Boston, New York, Key West,
California, Canada and more.
Like any family member,
Army has endured
injury —
our beagle pup chewed off one ear;
neglect —
left on a Boston hotel bed,
Army ventured into the laundry facility;
smothering —
our son held Army so tight
when nightmares visited
he could scarcely breath.
Ask any member of our family:
what would you save in a fire?
Army will likely top the list,
he is family after all.
*Inspired by Linda Sue Park’s book, The One Thing You’d Save
A Reading Life 
Army has been through so much. I am always amazed by people who can weave an entire life into a poem. Beautifully crafted!
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Wow – it is all there! So well written. It catches all the feeling of a family and a well loved stuffy!
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Stuffies live up to their names, don’t they? They’re stuffed full of memories. This is one of my favorite books for people of all ages. I like how you traced your travels with Army.
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I love this. Big Giant Bunny, my daughter’s most prized stuffed animal would definitely near the top of my list.
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Such food for thought and such a clever description of Army. This reminded me of our “Doggo”. Now, I’ll plan to write a slice about him.
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What a great book-connection prompt. I especially enjoyed learning something new about an object in your home! Loved meeting Army!
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I’m trying to picture your grown son as a small three year old clutching Mr. Army–those were magical years. If only a stuff animal could continue to ease our adult worries with the same efficiency.
Your command of verse storytelling has reached new heights this year! Well done!
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Thank you for introducing us to Army through your descriptive words and pic! He really is one-of-a-kind!
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