Every year we hold a used toy drive for Christmas. We ask for “gently used” toys. We clean them up, dress them if need be and pass them on to children who have nothing – I mean absolutely nothing. 
I always have a stuffed animal named George. I may have one or two at any given time. I believe that toys give love – literally. You may look into their eyes and see it, at least I do. During the annual toy drive, it tears me apart to separate from “Georges,” but I do. I allow them to go and give love to children who need it. I have also developed the practice of “filling them with love,” simply by keeping them in rooms where I work and sending them love.
This year I decided to get a new George at the beginning of the year and to take him with me to important places where having a little extra comfort would be nice – the dentist’s office, the doctor, when I travel, etc. I make every effort to take a picture. At the end of the year I will give George away with his story. I’ll make a little book with color pictures and tell the story of all of his adventures throughout the year.
George has an important job as a comforter, as a traveler and as a companion. My expectation is that whichever child ends up with George will be able to experience him at a different level – a deeper level.
I invite everyone to do the same thing. Buy a stuffed toy and take it on adventures, take its picture, make a book, then clean up the toy and give it away with its real life story. You can open up a world for a child at the same time that you give them love. I would love to see a “George’s Adventures” epidemic taking place. Adults going through their day with stuffed toys and taking pictures. Love it.
