I have my first toy that I received as a baby: an 43 year old, battle-scarred, hugged to death, once new but not anymore teddy bear and I would be quite upset if I lost him
Trev: I have the same thing! A teddy that was given to me *before* I was born - now missing an eye (and most of the other) and looking very battle-scarred! He's precious.
My mother threw out some of my things when I was still living at home and it upset me (as it was intended to) but all I did was to pack up my stuff out of her reach.
I wasn't even five; I was playing outside with my brother and sisters. I carried Teddy around with me back then and left him on top of the garbage can. I missed him later that night, but, didn't know where he could be. The next day, I remembered where I had left him - on top of the garbage can! And it was garbage day!! My father ran out just as the garbage men came to pick up the trash, shouting
"Don't take Teddy!!" And he was rescued. I do know I spilled maple syrup on him, and all of his fur is mostly rubbed away, and his arms are nearly off. But I still have him.