There’s nothing like a thoughtful gift to make someone’s day, especially if it’s something they need or want. But sometimes, the best gifts are the ones that surprise us with a touch of nostalgia, a hint of love, or a reminder of someone we miss. That’s what this grandpa experienced when he received a very special present from his granddaughter, one that reminded him of his beloved late wife.
It was a hard holiday season for Grandpa. This is his first Christmas without his wife, who passed away in October 2023. Grandma was the glue that held the family together, and her absence left a huge hole in everyone’s hearts. Every day, Grandpa felt lonely and sad, missing his wife, whom he had been married to for 66 years.
His granddaughter Sydney knew how much he was hurting, and she wanted to do something to cheer him up. She had an idea that she hoped would make him smile and feel closer to his wife.
Then, she went to a Build-A-Bear store and picked out a cute and cuddly teddy bear. But this was no ordinary teddy bear. It had a secret feature that made it extra special: a voice recording of Grandma.
His granddaughter Sydney planned a very special gift – at Build-A-Bear, she created a special teddy that spoke in her Grandma’s voice.
Sydney had saved a voicemail from her grandmother, who had called her to wish her a happy birthday. It was a simple message, but it captured her sweet and loving personality. Sydney decided to use that message as the voice of the teddy bear so that Grandpa could hear what his wife said.
After wrapping the gift, she presented it to Grandpa on Christmas day. This video capturing the special moment gained viral attention with 6.5 million views.
The video captures Grandpa unwrapping the gift and discovering the teddy bear. His face lights up with joy and appreciation as he expresses gratitude to Sydney for the present.
When Sydney instructs him to squeeze the teddy bear’s paw and listen, his expression transforms. Grandpa instantly became teary-eyed as he heard his beloved wife’s voice saying, “Have a nice day, baby. I love you.” Overwhelmed with emotion and memories, he listens to the message again, holding the teddy bear close to his heart.
Grandpa and Grandma had a beautiful life together. They were a big and happy family, raising several children with their love. Grandpa never thought he would hear his wife’s voice again, but thanks to his granddaughter’s thoughtful gift, he got to hear her say “I love you” one more time.
“Have a nice day, baby. I love you,” says the bear. This sweet message was a snippet from Grandma’s voicemail.
Upon hearing his wife’s voice, Grandpa could barely hold back his tears, overwhelmed by emotions and memories.
Sydney’s gift is a poignant reminder that we should cherish every moment with our loved ones because life is too short and unpredictable. Even 66 years of marriage can seem like a flash when you’re having fun with your soulmate.
Thankfully, we have modern technologies that can preserve a part of them even after they leave us. We can still see their smiles and hear their laughter in the photos and videos on our phones.
Don’t wait until your loved ones are gone to appreciate them, and don’t take them for granted just because they’ve always been there. Life gets busy, but a simple phone call or a quick visit for tea can mean a lot. So, the question is, how else can you create more memories with them?
- Set up a regular date on a fixed day and time.
- Take lots of photos to capture every detail of their face, expressions, and gestures.
- Most importantly, express your love and gratitude. Don’t wait, as you might regret not saying it more often once they’re gone.
This special gift is a reminder that our loved ones stay with us forever – even if it is in our hearts or the voice of a teddy bear.
The special gift in this story is a testament to the fact that our loved ones never really leave us. They live on in our hearts, in our minds, and, in this case, in the voice of a teddy bear.
We hope that Sydney’s grandpa will find some solace in his gift. His beloved wife may not be with him physically, but every night he’ll be able to listen to her sweet voice saying, “I love you.”
He may not be able to hold her, but her love will continue to flow through his veins, in the smiles of his grandchildren, and in all the things she loved. Maybe a special teddy bear will ease some of the pain.
Have you ever received such a thoughtful gift?
Watch the video here:
@sydfalb this is what christmas is all about 🤍 @Build-A-Bear ♬ To be loved Is to be changed – gosiahballer