Vintage Thingie Thursday: Vintage Toy Lion

Welcome everyone to Vintage Thingies Thursday. If you have a love for vintage things, well....you have come to the right place. We have a "dog-gone" good time each and every week!!! If you are new to this party, please take the time to read and follow the instructions for participating in Vintage Thingies Thursday, click HERE. I try and keep things fairly simple, so  please make sure you follow the instructions. 
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This is a vintage toy lion that I have always called Leo. He belonged to my great grandmother, who I always called Grandma 2. She had this toy at her house and I always loved it when I was little.   I love his cheerful face the best. My grandma kept him in her bedroom on her bed and that is where he had to stay most of the time. As a little kid, that held a lot of attention and wanting to drag it all over the  house.

I can still vision that bedroom in that little house. Although as a child, I did not think that their house was all that small. But to drive by there today....it looks the same as I remember, just a whole lot smaller. This lion sat on her bed that was covered with a dusty pink chenille bedspread. I can remember how that old bedspread felt as I would lay across the bed and play with this lion.

Friends, that was a long, long time ago. My great grandma passed I believe in either 1969 or '70 and I was around seven or eight when she passed. I remember asking for this lion as a way to remember her by. Luckily, my mom was outspoken and would speak her mind because I was not the only one who wanted him...and I was lucky enough to have him for my own.

And in-case you are wondering, when I attach myself to things that mean something to me, I don't take ownership lightly. He is for the most part in exactly the condition he was when I got him all those years ago. Never, did I play with him. He sat on my bed or dresser for most of my childhood and when I was a teenager and got a hope chest....he found his way there for safe keeping and has been there for years on end. I hate to think of what would have become of him had I not been able to have him. I would hope he would be in the same shape, but it is not likely.

Of course, I did not need this toy to remember my very special grandma 2.....but I would not take any thing for him and he really means a lot to me.

He does need a few repairs. I have no idea how old he actually is, as there are no tags at all. His body and legs have wires, as you can see the one sticking out of his tail. There are a couple of places where the stitching has come undone, this is the one with the most need of repair. I tend to believe if he had not lived in that chest for so many years, he would not be in the shape he is today. I need to find a way to display him and enjoy him while I am still here to do so. I think he is adorable, and reminds me of someone I still hold very dear to my heart.

This is a photo of my (left to right) Papaw, his brother Edmond, my great grandma 2, and my great grandfather 2. They were very sweet and special people in my life and I am so thankful that I was old enough to remember special bits and pieces about my great grandparents.

Happy Vintage Thingie Thursday everyone!!! Have a wonderful day!!