When a family loses a member, even the most magical of holidays can take on a new character. Although it can be comforting to come together as a family in such a difficult time, such gatherings also make that person’s absence seems all the more obvious.
So many families in this situation will try to carry on with the spirit of the season as much as they can and one woman found the perfect way to do that.
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When people plan a special gift for someone, they may end up finding their way to a Build-A-Bear Workshop.
Since the whole point is to make a personalized bear, a sharp-eyed shopper one can use it as an opportunity to show their loved ones how well they really know them.
But Brittany Garcia of California had a different idea in mind when she made her trip to the workshop.
When Christmas rolled around, she would present her mother with a bear dressed in a little police uniform. But that was only part of what made this gift so personal.
As you can hear if you listen closely in this video, the bear also plays a voice clip when someone squeezes its paw.
As this tearful mother soon discovered, the voice belonged to her son, Sean A. Tanner. This was the first Christmas the family spent without him, so his voice was sorely missed.
As Brittany said in the tweet, Sean was indeed working as a police officer when he passed away.
However, despite what some may have heard, Brittany clarified in another tweet that he was not killed in the line of duty.
Although the whole video is certainly bittersweet and heartwarming, Brittany wanted to share her favorite part of it.
And if she hadn’t pointed this little part out, it’s unlikely that the most of us would have made out what her son was saying. A voice that young can sometimes require a translator, after all.
Although the touching gesture received some heartfelt responses, this practical one from a Build-A-Bear employee was likely welcome as well.
The last thing they’d want is to feel like they were losing Sean all over again and this helpful tip seems like a good way to prevent that.
However, some replies apparently expressed concern that the gift was reopening the family’s wounds. Brittany made sure to address that.
In this case, it seems like hearing Sean’s voice come out of something perfectly huggable was just what their mother needed in this trying time.
Although these concerns were likely well-intentioned, some believed that this was neither the time nor the place for them.
After all, tears can be a complicated thing and it’s entirely possible for someone to shed them in sorrow, yet also appreciate what brought them on.
