My Teddy Rosalie
11:11 ….. 2:22 …. 4:44
For years, I have noticed myself looking at a watch, wall clock, phone, or computer clock at exactly 11:11 a.m. or 11:11 p.m. At one point, it began freaking me out a bit, and I decided to look up the possible significance.
There are many theories, some more far-fetched than others, but this is my favorite:
“These 11:11 Wake-Up Calls on your digital clocks, mobile phones, VCR’s and microwaves are the ‘trademark’ prompts of a group of just 1,111 fun-loving Spirit Guardians, or Angels, and the 11:11 prompt is their way of using our innate ability for pattern recognition to let us know that they are here. Once they have your attention, they will use other digits, like 12:34, or 2:22 to remind you of their presence.”
[Excerpt courtesy of 11:11 Progress Group]
Keep in mind that I am one of the most non-religious persons you will ever meet. I’m more likely to believe in Twilight Zone type events than in angels and devils. But I have lost my dad, my favorite uncle, my favorite aunt, and a very dear friend over the years, and I would like to think there is some kind of connection with those lost souls during certain periods of time.
In April 2013, my mother (Rosalie) was in the final stages of her battle with cancer. When death became imminent, I received “the” call from my brother and then drove as fast as possible to the nursing home 80-some miles away.
Upon arrival at the nursing home, I found a teddy bear at the foot of my mother’s bed, under the covers. Everyone I asked claimed to have never seen that teddy bear before, and swore total ignorance as to how that bear came to be in my mother’s bed. My mother died within a few hours of my arrival. I took the teddy bear with me as a keepsake.
I had booked a hotel for the night as I knew I would be too upset to drive back home. Teddy Rosalie (yes, by now I had named her) sat in the passenger seat on the way to the hotel, accepted my tearful hugs that evening, slept in my bed that night, and sat again in the passenger seat on the way back home the next day. It was silly, I know, but I found comfort in having that stuffed toy so close to me.
Over the last year, and especially over the last couple of months, I have found myself waking up at odd times in the night – but always at a time that carries triple or quadruple digits: 11:11 p.m., 2:22 a.m., 3:33 a.m., and most often, 4:44 a.m.
I am not going to enter into a long, drawn-out discussion of religion/spirituality. But I will say that each time I awaken and see those digits on the clock, I then look over at Teddy Rosalie sitting atop my dresser – and I feel peaceful.
And so, as a tribute to my mother and to all other lost souls, I am creating a new, light-hearted feature for this blog. Every once in awhile, I will publish a photograph of Teddy Rosalie in some unusual place. These photos will appear sporadically and may or may not have anything to do with the subject of the post on which they are published. Sometimes the photos will appear in this blog, sometimes they will be on Facebook or Twitter only, maybe even on Flickr.com (so really, you should follow me everywhere!).
I intend to call these photos the “Where Is Teddy Rosalie?” series. Please join Teddy Rosalie on her travels, and should you ever find yourself in the same (or a similar) location where one of the photos was taken, please take a moment to think with love about your own lost souls.
I’m ready, CookieCakes – let’s go!
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook, Twitter, or Flickr pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com or notcordeliasmom@aol.com
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Clock image by c.e.b., other images by Cordelia’s Mom (with a little spiritual help from Rosalie)
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
I have this uncanny knack of catching those digits, too. I always thought that it was because I am always around some digital time read out (computer, phone, microwave oven..) so the odds are higher. It had been told to me that looking at the digits again before the time changes is bad luck. I like your interpretation much, much better and I am going to stick with from now on! 🙂
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If you subscribe to the theory that those digits mean an angel is trying to reach you, then I don’t find it at all unusual that a doctor would see them. I find them comforting, even if I think it’s all hooey.
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I tend to catch consecutive digits. My favorite is 4:56. I try not to associate a lot of meaning with them, but I like it when I see them. Your (favorite) explanation is as good as any. I’ll be looking for TR on Flickr 🙂
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Thanks, Dan. Once the weather breaks, TR may be traveling around a bit more. For now, she’s just hiding out in various places in my own house.
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I love Teddy Bears I have many including a Vampire bear named Vlad who has travelled the world with me. I have written two stories about him and his friends. So I shall look forward to Rosalie’s exploits !
As for numbers on clocks my husband is always noting the time 747 am or pm seems to have loomed large in his life. Like you he is not overly religious…. Again like you he is more suited to the Tylight Zone.
Love to you and Rosalie! 🙂
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747 sounds like an airplane – did he ever have either really good or really bad experience while flying? (I think I’m hearing that Twilight Zone music right now.)
It will be interesting to see how much traveling Teddy Rosalie is actually able to do, since I do so little. But I’m sure she’ll manage to turn up in some interesting places.
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If she is anything like Vlad she certainly will!
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Such a wonderful story about finding the teddy bear in your mom’s bed. I’m sorry for your loss. … I see 11:11 all the time, also 1,2.3.4, and others like 4:44 etc. A couple I see a lot are the times of my daughter’s birth… one at 8:48, another at 5:57…don’t know if there’s anything to this number thing, but I heard you should make a wish when you see them.
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Well, personally, every time I see 11:11 , I wish my mom were still alive.
Interesting that you notice the clock at the time of your daughter’s birth – maybe your subconscious makes you look at the clock at just that time, and it’s sweet that you do.
Thank you for joining me this morning. Please come back often!
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Very touching, CM. Your sentiments relative to religion are similar to mine. As for the numerals, my wife, Mollie, and I have long noticed the same effect. I believe it to be related to the same mental process that produces superstition, i.e., the mind processes information steadily as it comes in, but it remembers and tries to correlate those parts which seem unique. For example, Mollie has often said to me, “It’s always windy around here.” And so it seems, but this caused me to observe when it isn’t windy and I’ll point out the calm to her. And guess what? It’s often not windy. Similarly, when people realize it’s Friday the 13th (which is tomorrow, by the by), they will recall the association if something unusual happens, and it will inevitably happen to some. Conclusion: it’s just the way our minds work.
Jim
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That’s pretty much what I think, too, but you explained it better. Thanks, Jim.
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I woke up this morning, looked at the clock, and it read 5:55. What a coincidence!
I have a thought that doesn’t involve spirits, ghosts, or any other supernatural beings. My theory is that people probably don’t look at clocks, watches, or other timekeeping devices and see things like 11:11, 2:22, 4:45, or even 1:23, any more often than they see other times. I wrote a post about this a while back where I suggested that most people look at a watch or clock to see what time it’s not, rather than what time it is. I think that when you do see something like that, it registers in your mind and you note it, whereas looking at a time like 9:23 doesn’t. So that, in my humble opinion, is why it seems like you are seeing those times more often than other times. I hope that doesn’t burst your bubble, CM.
By the way, nice story about Teddie Rosalie.
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My thoughts pretty run along those lines, too, but I still find it comforting to see triple or quadruple digits and then think of my mom. Would I think of her at 1:32? Maybe, but as you say, it might not stick in my mind as well.
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Cool story CM. I’ll watch for Teddy.
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I think at some point Teddy Rosalie might go across the border to Canada (but probably not all the way to where you are, I’m sorry to say). Perhaps I should apply for her passport now. I sure wouldn’t want the border agents to have any problems with her.
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It’s nice to meet Teddy Rosalie!
I have a soft spot for 11:11. My parents gave me a digital clock for my 16th birthday. I could never go to sleep until I saw it flip from 11:10 to 11:11. But I never thought about a deeper meaning.
Until my husband and I adopted our son, Jacob. On 11/11.
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That actually gave me a chill – but in a good way. Thanks for sharing that, Elyse.
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What a sad and extraordinary way to find Teddy Rosalie. It is amazing how comforting stuffed animals can be for adults. I have a few special pandas that come with me on holidays. I also have custom made stuffed animal versions of all my beloved dogs that have passed away.
I’m not religious, but I’m fascinated by the unexplained. My first dog to pass away, Wolfy the Pug, passed away at 7.20pm – the same time I was born. And now I’m hearing that Twilight Zone music!
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What a sweet way to remember your departed pets. Thanks for the comment, Vicky.
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Reblogged this on Cordelia's Mom, Still and commented:
Several times in the past couple of weeks, I’ve woken up at 5:55 a.m. I’ve been thinking about my mother a lot, and I’ve also been thinking about lost friends. Coincidence? Or is someone trying to tell me something? Be sure to read the comments, especially the ones by Doobster and Paul, both of whom are missing from the blogosphere – Paul by death, and Doobster? Who knows? He just folded up shop a couple of years ago, whether because he grew bored or ill – no one seems to know.
As for Teddy Rosalie – she hasn’t been doing as much traveling as I anticipated because I was forced to go back to full-time work. Maybe once I’m retired, that will change. For now, she says at home and comforts me.
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Aw, so this is the history behind the teddybear. As for 11:11 …. when I see those numbers it usually follows 9:11, a message for me to be diligent … turbulent waters ahead. Then when I see 11:11, it is a sign all is well, and that Angels are smiling. The relief …. I LOVE 11:11!! Always when I see those numbers my day is great! (((HUGS)) for the loss of your Mom. I know that one only too well!! 💞
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I’ve recently been experiencing a rash of those numbers. Maybe my mom has been thinking of me, like I’ve been thinking of her. (and thanks for going back to read the old post.)
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I’ve been thinking of my Mom too, CM. I have a very difficult decision to make and I am reaching out to her for help. You are welcome about me reading this post. Curious I am like my cats. (smile)
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