One day Jim walked into the kitchen where his mother was mopping.  She heard him say: " See Mommy's mop, Alfie?"  She turned to see who he was talking to.  To her surprise, it was an old bed pillow wrapped in his arms.

The newly personified, feather-filled friend was almost as big as the two year old as he lugged it about. In time one corner became twisted into a small fan shape that Jim used to tickle his nose. He called it 'gigglin'. 

When his three and four year old friends came to play, Alfie was greeted with a big hello, the same as Jim.  When they rode their trikes, Alfie was tied to a seat and rode along.  When Jim ate his meals, Alfie always settled in next to him.

The rest of the family  went along with Alfie as well.  His older brothers got a kick out of the fantasy friend and decided, weird or not, it was okay because he was just a little kid.  When Jim visited his Grandmother, she lovingly insisted that well-worn Alfie needed a new pillow case. She was allowed to 'dress' him in new clothes. At nap time, as well as at night , Jim would fall asleep with soft old Alfie in a warm embrace.

After two years, with timing and reasoning known only to him, Jim instructed his mother to put Alfie on a shelf in his bedroom closet. She did, and that is where Alfie remained.  

Armin Brott,  "Mr.Dad", writing about imaginary friends, suggests:

• Don't let the "friend" be your child's only companion.  Kids need to socialize with others their own age.  If they show no interest in other kids, consult your pediatrician.
• Don't let your child shift responsibility for everything bad to the friend.
• Treat the friend with respect: remember his name, greet him when you meet, and apologize when you sit on him.
• Don't use the friend to manipulate your child with comments like:  "Dusty finished her dinner, why don't you finish yours?"
• He adds that most kids lose their imaginary friends between their third and fifth birthdays.   

Oh yes, Jim is all grown-up now, a bright and accomplished man. I wonder what he remembers of his early childhood friend, Alfie.

The Schoolmarm

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