Holiday Letter: These Bears are Truly Magic

November 2025

We’re honoured to share this story of a daughter remembering her dad, while helping her little girl cherish the bond she had with her grandfather. It’s a reflection on love, family, and the small comforts that helped them through − with a little help from our Hospice team.

The day my Dad was admitted to the Hospice Residence in Windsor, we brought our little 5-year-old, Isabella, to see her Nonno. Isabella and Nonno had a very special bond. It was when Dad became Nonno that we finally saw cracks in his tough exterior – there was nothing he wouldn’t do for his little granddaughter!

We had explained to Isabella what was happening with Nonno. She knew he was sick and would not get better and that he would die – but we didn’t know when. She wanted to visit him and was so brave, until we pulled into the parking lot. At that moment, she somehow sensed the gravity of the situation, and she started crying and was almost inconsolable. 

We were so fortunate when we entered the front doors with our scared little one that Dad’s nurse, Therece, happened to be in the foyer, and she knew exactly what was needed. After chatting with us for a minute, she stepped away, only to reappear seconds later with a box of Hospice bears. She offered Isabella a bear and one for her sister at home. Isabella started calming down as Therece explained that these Hospice bears had magic powers! If Isabella was feeling sad or scared, nervous or angry, confused or anxious, all she had to do was squeeze her bear tight and her new friend would magically make those feelings better and give her some comfort. 

Let me tell you, that bear truly is magic! Isabella hugged that bear tightly the whole walk down the hallway to see Nonno in Hospice for the first time. She stopped crying and was able to stand next to Nonno and talk to him calmly (even though he was not able to communicate with her). Even more remarkable, when family came to visit that evening and one relative was very emotional in the hallway, Isabella offered her bear to her Zia, explaining that it was a magic bear and Zia could squeeze it tight to take away her sad feelings.

That night at bedtime, Isabella told us she had decided on her bear’s name, “Mamma I’m going to call it Feelings Bear, because its magic takes care of all my feelings.” 

The next day, Isabella took Feelings Bear to school with her. We gave her teachers a “heads up” so they would understand and could help. Feelings Bear came with us to visit Nonno at Hospice that night too and sat right beside Isabella while she coloured pictures for Nonno’s room.

The next morning we had to break the news to Isabella that Nonno had died. Feelings Bear to the rescue yet again – that little bear hardly left Isabella’s arms that day, and all the next week. Feelings Bear joined us at the funeral home, and all through the services. Feelings Bear has been a snuggle buddy at bedtime ever since and has been a catalyst for Isabella to talk about Nonno and talk TO Nonno, however and whenever she needs in her own moments of grief. We have already had many conversations in our house about Isabella’s Nonno memories using Nonno Bear – happy conversations about happy memories. 

As parents, we are beyond thankful; this bear is truly magic and helped us have conversations no-one ever plans to have with a 5-year-old. It helped with some big feelings in such a little human and has given her courage in ways we never expected. With deepest appreciation, Maria.

From world-class palliative care to magical bears, your donation ensures Hospice can continue to care for local patients and families as they travel this journey with us.

For more than 20 years, Hospice bears have been handmade with love by our dedicated volunteers, and we are forever grateful.

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