Up close & personal with my transitional object

The first week of grad school, we spent some time learning about transitional objects and object relations theory. Not to nerd out too much, but Winnicott coined the term "transitional object" back in the 1950s. He defined it as a self chosen object that the child uses to comfort themselves when separated from their mother. Well, this got me thinking back on my childhood and what role my transitional object, the curious little monkey, had played for me throughout my life.

Curious George had always been there for me. In sickness and in health. Now, he is somewhere in a rubbermade box safely being preserved so that I can maybe one day offer him as a comfort to my own child. I can smell my childhood through this little creature. Inhaling him, he is a little musty with the faint smell of the original Tide scent immediately bringing me back to my childhood.

When I packed my belongings to leave for college, Curious George did not make the cut after a heated debate. He would not be a West Coaster any time soon. Instead, I purchased his stunt double. This was not out of embarrassment of bringing Curious George along to college, but rather out of worry that I would lose the curious little monkey who had already made it this far.

When I returned home to my childhood room at the end of 2012 to carry out my dad’s last wish—to die in my childhood home surrounded by family— Curious George welcomed me back home with his outstretched limp and furry little arms. His presence as a 25 year old adult was just as if not more comforting to me than he was to me as a child.