My Assistant, Dr. Bear

When working with young children,
We need all the help we can get;
Getting older can cause the things
We once knew about childhood
To fall into the box market "Forget."
I have a faithful assistant
Who works hard each and every day;
His name, you see, is Dr. Bear
And he helps children express
The things they're not sure how to say.

He is oh so soft and non-threatening
(As I would like to be seen as being)
And listens ever so carefully
With his button eyes attentively seeing.
Sometimes he just gets held
By the kid he is interviewing
As he waits for the openings
To hug someone back
And to assist with a tad of renewing.

Dr. Bear can play with anyone
But loves the children best of all,
For he is a specialist in their issues
And is there for them whenever I call.
Sometimes I feel like a lazy jerk
Because that sweet stuffed bear
With a proud MD
Seems to be doing so much of the work.

I'm glad he lets me work with him
To treat the kids in pain,
And hope he'll stay a good long time
(So long as in employment I remain);
Some might mistake him
For just one of those stuffed things
Without realizing or loving
The warm, special magic that he brings.