This is a listen or read post
It’s the Easter season, and since my childhood rabbit was my best friend, I have to decided to annually share the Story of Bunny on my blog.
I was age three when our eyes met, he was breathtaking. The most beautiful creature I had ever seen. We were about the same height, past two feet tall, yet not quite three-and-a half-feet tall. He hung on a peg board display at our small town Ben Franklin Store. He was there with a female rabbit beside him. She had on a skirt. They were surrounded on the display by small versions of themselves, but for me, I only had eyes for him. I wanted to hold him, but no one would take him down. He loved me as much as I loved him, I just knew it. He was mine, and we had to be together, forever. Tears flowed as I realized he was not going home with me. I stood there crying my heart out.
I remember the path to his display: Front door, turn left…walk to the last aisle…turn right…pass through the aisle-cross-section, there he was on the right side of the aisle, and out of reach. For weeks, each time my Mom and I were in the store, I would stand staring at him. Willing him to come down. Willing him to be mine. Willing him to ride home with me. Willing him to be my friend. Each time, leaving for home in drowning tears at our separation.
Easter morning arrived, and so did he. There he sat, the crowning treasure of my Easter basket. You can tell from the photo, at that point in my little life, it was probably the happiest day of my life. I named him Bunny, from the rabbit on the Captain Kangaroo Show. To this day we have never been far from each other. He carried my joys, tears, and on one occasion, my vomit. He came home from the cleaners sealed in a plastic bag. I was horrified thinking because of the bag, he couldn’t breathe. He got me through kindergarten, first grade, school shots, minor surgeries, the death of my dad, college, and I know he played a part in helping launch me into my adult life.
As a small child and an only child, if I rode in the car with a seatbelt, so did he. We painted and did art projects together, we ate together, and he patiently humored me, as I dressed him in my clothes. One summer I was learning to float at the city pool, when on a later trip to Galveston I cut off my floral tights to make him swim trunks, so he could learn to float in the ocean. When a wave carried him away from me, my dad rescued him.
A few years later, my dad died at home of a sudden heart attack, at the young age of 44. Bunny was with me. At 5am, awakened by my mother’s screams, I stood in my pink nightshirt and blue fluffy house shoes in my parents’ bedroom, clutching Bunny for dear life. In the chaos of the moment, together we slipped behind the drapes. We learned of death as I watched through weaves of fabric as my father died.
Years later, Bunny and I went to SMU where he tortured my roommate by staring at her with his one eye. The other eye, long-ago lost in a playing accident. Because of a baggage weight restriction, he had to stay home when I spent a summer in England for an SMU-in-Oxford program. It was a shock to my mother when she saw him sitting alone in my room, left behind for the first time. It was only temporary!
In many ways Bunny established a trajectory in my life. I am certain my bond with him is the reason I started my toy design company. One thing I always understood was the emotional connection–the bonding that can happen with a stuffed toy, and my designs created connection. No child, or person, ever remembers that someone bought them the most expensive toy, or the cheapest toy. No, they remember that they bought them THAT toy. The one they love. The one they connect with. The one that is their forever memory.
On this Easter season, I wanted to take a moment to tell you about Bunny, and share with you a few photos of the rabbits he inspired me to create for my toy line. He is the reason I design on a human form…and yes, he’s the one thing in my life that shares the common thread of everything in my life. Bunny is sitting right here watching me write this post. He lives in my studio, now, and is quite frayed. We will never be far from each other. I love him.
A few photos of designs from previous seasons, no longer available from the Phebe Phillips line.
Phebe Phillips is an only child that grew up to be christened, by the words of a journalist, the Coco Chanel of the toy world. Her designs sold in Neiman Marcus Stores for twenty-six-years, as well as FAO Schwarz, I-Magnin, Jacobson’s, Victoria Secret, high-end boutiques, and a separate line created for all Michael’s Stores. She was one of the youngest and longest continual vendors for Neiman’s.
For seventeen years, her rabbits decorated The White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll. Her client list includes many celebrity names you would recognize. The line is no longer available due to a harsh government regulation (read here) “What Happened to the Toys”.
On her tours at Neiman’s and FAO to autograph her designs, customers would line up for as long as an hour to have her personalize their purchase.
Phebe Phillips experienced loss at a very young age. Through this, she developed an empathy and a gift for helping heal emotions. Her past toy line, designed on human form, and made with meticulous care, brought joy and happiness to those who became her clients. Now, with words and illustrations as her medium, she takes both young and old on a journey understanding that through life’s challenges each person is honed to be special and unique, with value and self-worth.
Her book, Why Me? Positive Verse for Loss and Sadness is available on Amazon in English only, or in Spanish | English. She creates The Literary Catcast Podcast—dedicated to the preservation of vintage books and writings with cats as main characters, bringing them into the awareness of a podcast.
For now, Phebe lives in Dallas, Texas until she moves deep into the East Texas pines in 2022. She creates The Literary Catcast Podcast.
absolutely your best. you contine to share your heart, hone your craft. Blessings to you and Bunny this Easter.
Hi Frances,
Thank you very much.
Love, Love,
Phebe
I enjoyed reading about Bunny. I, too, was an only child and definitely understand the bond we can have with a stuffed animal. I’m sure your creations were well-loved by anyone who was a lucky recipient of one or more of them.
I noticed this little error you might want to edit: in my parent’s [sic] bedroom. Just slide that apostrophe to the right and all will be perfect.
Hi Daphne,
You have no idea how much I appreciate you. Thanks for reading my work.
With friendship,
Phebe
What a wonderful story. I, too, have my first Easter bunny tucked away upstairs somewhere. He is not as handsome as your Bunny.
Hi Ann,
Happy Easter! It’s a lot of fun to think back on significant times in life with memories of special toys.
With friendship,
Phebe
I loved this story! So glad you will be with us in East Texas!!!
Hi Carolyn,
We are looking forward to being there, and spending time with you guys.
With friendship,
Phebe
Precious forever love! 💖🐰💖🐰💖🐰💖
Rene,
Thank you! I miss you.
Love, Love,
~~Phebe
I just purchased your “Spats Bats Bunny” at an outside market and I’m so happy I did, ESPECIALLY after reading “Bunny’s Love Story” (which is wonderful)! As silly as it may sound, I first passed up Spats at the market only to regret it because I realized it was about to rain. All I could think was “that poor bunny is going to get ruined and I hate that for him”! Spats kept “pulling at me” so I went back to get him and thank goodness he was still there. And now he’s found his forever home with a 67-year old! Thank you for creating all the critters you have and for “giving them life”! P S. My husband told me I am creating my own animal rescue shelter because I continually “rescue” stuffed animals (and at my age…LOL).
Hi Karen,
What a sweet message. Spats was one of my most favorite creations. Thanks for finding him, or allowing him to find you.
With friendship,
Phebe
Hi Phebe!! My “Rumpus” and I so loved this story!! We have that connection too, one that you started for us in 1987. He’s my best friend and I love him. A few years ago, I bought my twin granddaughters each a “Bunn Ole Coot Laurence – Thinker of the wisest thoughts” And they love them, too!! Your special toys are members of our family. They have blessed our lives with joy and love. Thank you ❤️
SueAnne
Dearest SueAnne,
Thank you so much for those sweet words and sharing the memory of my creative work. It is my greatest joy and treasure to be a part of people’s lives, and to be a presence in their homes. Much love, peace, health and happiness.
With friendship,
Phebe