My Best Friend July

I have always had a marvelous collection of stuffed toys. I wouldn’t really say I meant to collect them. Most of them are usually gifts from my parents, relatives or friends. They usually have no other purpose in my room than for display - that is, except for one special little fellow. Let me introduce you to July.

July, a blue, soft and adorable little bear was actually given by a friend of mine for my birthday. Childish as it may seem, he has been my best friend ever since he came into my life. Just imagine, a fifteen-year old Third Year student going crazy over an inanimate object.

I have to admit, there are times that I would look mentally deranged over my little July. I would cuddle him, embrace him, kiss him, and even talk to him even when there are other people around. In fact, I would even pretend he would actually answer. In short, I actually treat this product of Blue Magic like he was alive. I can’t even go to bed without him by my side. He’s my little baby.

I can’t blame other people for thinking I’m childish. Actually, I don’t really understand myself either. I have no idea why I’m so attached to something that doesn’t even have a heartbeat. It’s probably because I always find a special friend in him every time I need one. When I’m down and just want to cry, I know I can always pick him up, cry my heart out and hug him as much as I want. When I have problems, I can share my worries with him without hesitation. When I just want to let go and give up, I just look into his beady black eyes and decide to hold on.

I may look childish having July by my side, but I don’t really care. What matters to me is that I have a little something to remind me that life is beautiful. He makes me remember that there will always be a little kid inside of me no matter how old I get. He instills in me the fact that I will never be alone. Holding on to him gives me a sense of security. In my dark hours, I hold on to my little stuffed toy. I don’t know how he does it, but he has that ability to give me strength, and with this strength, I acquire the courage to stand up again and face the world.

Of course, I know that I should still have real friends to interact with. I know that no matter how a great help July is when it comes to my internal struggles. I still have real friends to depend on. The reason why I put so much value into July isn’t because I want to be alone and isolated from my friends; it’s more so because I need something to hold on to when I’m alone, I need something to give me comfort when I’m ready to fall apart.

Yes, I am childish, in a way that even I can’t understand. However, I believe that July isn’t just the favorite stuffed toy that I would eventually tire of. July is my secret-keeper, stress-reliever and strength-giver. I know he’ll never come to life, but that doesn’t matter. I’m happy having a source of joy right by my bedside. I’m satisfied with the fact that there’s something in this world to remind me that I can still stand up despite everything else I’m contented with a little reminder that indeed, there’s more to life than the pain. Thanks to July, life has been a little bit easier.