When you want to dig deep into your past and unearth essential truths, what do you do if you’re only eight years old? My daughter just wrote the mini personal essay below, about the day after she was born. No pseudonyms or composite characters were used. Some of the facts, however, may be secondhand or slightly anthropomorphized. Stay tuned for the next installments, backstories about each plush animal she has ever loved, hated, or remained completely indifferent about.

Blanket Bear was old, the oldest resident in Ella’s toybox, and all the toys respected her for it. The day after Ella was born, Blanket Bear had come, a gift from Aunt Mary. Blanket Bear, who had always shown great affection for her girl, was seldom taken out of the toybox. She had all the other stuffed animals to play with, so you shouldn’t judge Ella too harshly. Blanket Bear will never forget Ella’s face when she arrived: so peaceful. Her mother unwrapped her box and gently set Blanket Bear down into the crib. Ella didn’t wake up, only circled her hand around her. Blanket Bear was one of Ella’s comforts, more than she’ll ever realize. Just knowing that Blanket Bear is there is a certain consolation, even now. You don’t check to see if your heart is beating. It just is. Just like Blanket Bear, you take it for granted, but that doesn’t make it any less necessary. Blanket Bear or your heart.