Matching Care Bear Lunchboxes.....

[thoreau]

Photo by capy

So I walk to the train home from work - and get in just as the door is closing. There sitting next to her Dad is a small asian girl with an identical Care Bears lunchbox to mine. She lights up and blurts out quite loud:

"Do you love the Carebears too?"

Her father looks over at me - not knowing about my matching lunch tin - and smiles.

"Yes - I love the Carebears!" I say gently thinking that'll be the end of the conversation.

I laugh outloud - so does just about everyone on the train - which she loves and she burst out in a cacophany of "oh look I'm getting attention giggles".

Then says (sensing captive audience) quite loudly,

"My name is Michelle and I'm five. There is Bedtime Bear, Birthday Bear, Cheer Bear, Friend Bear, Funshine Bear, Good Luck Bear, Grumpy Bear, Love-A-Lot Bear, Tenderheart Bear and Wish Bear - And they live in the Forest of Feelings. (she knows this speech!) Do you like feelings? What's your name?"

"I'm Bob and I'm 41."

She pauses for a moment looking at me in my blue jeans, leather coat and black tshirt.

"Thats real old - isn't that too old for a lunchbox?" She says suddenly talking to me like an adult.

"Perhaps - but we're never too old for carebears." I said without missing a beat.

Several friends of dorothy are openly cackling and listening in at this point.

"Who is your favorite? Do you like WishBear or Tenderheart?"

I think about it for a bit and I said my favorite (quickly doing a mental scan of the list she'd blurted out) is Love-A-Lot Bear.

(at this point I think one of the gay guys is going to spontaneously combust because he's keeping in a catty bitchy comment like "SLUT!" or something of the like; he looks away as to not burst out)

My stop comes along and I go to leave and she says "Bye 41 year old Bob!"

Which makes everyone on the train erupt in laughter, and it's my exit and I head home up the escalator.

I laughed and smiled about it all the way home.

Comments

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

Somewhere, someone has to do a sociological study of the humanizing effects of public transportation.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

truly :)

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

That's sweet.

Even to bitter old queens like me.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I don't think I did a very good transcription job - but it was a wonderful little moment.

We are faithful and true

[danbearnyc.livejournal.com]

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

You know, someone as talented as you could get a plain metal lunchbox and transform it into something unique.

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

That's so adorable.

Thank you for sharing that story!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

That is a neat lunchbox - :) - but I was gifted the CareBears lunchbox by bukephalus and it's become a treasured part of my day. :) I can see magnetic poetry being fun on that lunch box though.

[grizzlyzone.livejournal.com]

I was thinking of a KDFC 102.7 "Listen at Lunch" box.

[urbear]

I'm trying to cope with the fact that there's a web site that sells nothing but lunchboxes.

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

She has your number! [in the cosmic sense]

I'd pick Grumpy Bear.

of course!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

since chattycathyatthegym bear isn't available. :)

[chef2b.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful ride home. I suspect that Dad was cringing.

[r-pity.livejournal.com]

I know I love my Hello Kitty lunch box! I also go around putting Hello Kitty stickers in places people would least expect them. I am sure I have pissed off some building maintenance people...oh, and thank you for friending me. I don't post as prolificly as you do, but I appreciate the gesture!

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

So those Hello Kitty stickers in the mens room at the Ripcord...

[r-pity.livejournal.com]

I know this is a surprise, but I have never been in the restroom at the Ripcord. LOL I won't tell you where I pee when I am there...

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

i have NO idea what you two pervs are talking about.....

[r-pity.livejournal.com]

I am sorry to sully your blog with such trash! LOL

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

innocence is not your colour dear :)

[tatsf.livejournal.com]

OMG, that is such a cute story. As you can imagine some little kids (OK, some big kids too) are a little scared of me and a little curious at the same time. But when they see that I'm friendly it's usually fine for them... not always so for the adult they're with.
And, you and Michelle are both far more interesting and appealing than jaded cackling old biddies!

[bearzendurham.livejournal.com]

Best post evah! Still smiling . . . Thanks for sharing this.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I (removing catty bitchycomments and SLUT!) shared it with my Mom even. :) LOL!

[cmhphil.livejournal.com]

This is a great post! This could only happen in a large and diverse city. So..........41 year old Bob........Who is your favorite Care Bear ??? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?????

[surewood31.livejournal.com]

Aww that was cute. You were the special guest on her show!

My favorites are the cousins!
Swift Heart Rabbit, Gentle Heart Lamb, Cozy Hear Penguin, Brave Heart Lion, Bright Heart Raccoon, Lotsa Heart Elephant, Loyal Heart Dog, Noble Heart Horse, Playful Heart Monkey, Proud Heart Cat and Treat Heart Pig.

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I just died from cute.

Back from the dead

[fuzzyjay.livejournal.com]

I'll give you mouf-to-mouf re-sissification.

Re: Back from the dead

[theoctothorpe.livejournal.com]

I lol'd

Re: Back from the dead

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

We could sell t-shirts and other paraphenalia from THAT rescue maneuver. That is what I love about you Jay - such a giver!

[cuboz.livejournal.com]

That is SUCH a gorgeous story...

For some unknown reason, it reminded me of my "pedophile" experience whilst on Emirates check-in one day, but that too, was a funny story that had me in stitches...

I would have loved to have been in the 'audience' with you that day! :-)

[quirkstreet.livejournal.com]

YAY. ;-)

[pklexton.livejournal.com]

Awwwwww. Cuuuuute!

[joebehrsandiego.livejournal.com]

No offense to Curtis/dr_scott's recent commentor re. Castro Golds' and Hothouse Video, but this truly *is* an "Only in San Francisco" story, of the best kind.

If you have a path to get your writing here in front of Mr. Maupin, please do; I would bet he'd somehow incorporate it in his next "Tales" book.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

oh to hell with HER - it goes in MY next novel. (snap!)

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

I was thinking the same thing--the two main characters are so San Francisco, with a wee Asian girl and an adult gay man. Just put those two talking CareBears on a train, and there's no need to even mention the setting!

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

I think we need to add Low Fat Muffin Bear to the cast.

[fargonrob.livejournal.com]

That is a very sweet story, I am so glad that good hearted children are still around in this world that forces them to grow up all to fast.

The humor of it is not lost either...

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing this with me.

[scream4noreason.livejournal.com]

Awwwwwwww!too cute!

[cuyahogarvr.livejournal.com]

Wayyyy to cute. ROFL. What a way to wrap up the work day.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

that is AWESOME
now I'll think of it and chuckle all the way to work.

[beastbriskett.livejournal.com]

What a great little vignette!
Some kids are a joy. You can see why people have them. Bravo to you for talking to her like a person!
(I'm for Tenderheart)

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

the best was watching the grrrls not make any sort of outloud catty remarks. It was pretty awesome :)

[glowroper.livejournal.com]

Sweet story - time to dust off my Lost in Space lunchbox, maybe.
:)