When you lose your child, it is natural to want to keep a piece of them with you forever. Maybe it’s an article of clothing, or something they really loved. Stacy Stevens, whose daughter Mary, died in the flood at Camp Mystic in Texas, is hoping she will be able to get back a piece of the girl. Mary had a beloved stuffed monkey that she had taken with her to camp. Like many things during the horrific flooding, it has been lost.
Despite this, the mom still holds on to the possibility that it will be returned. Stacey Stevens took to the FOUND on the Guadalupe River Facebook group in hopes of locating the toy.
“Looking for my daughter’s monkey that she has had her whole life and took with her to camp,” she wrote. “We lost my daughter and would love to have it back as it was her most prized possession. It has her name on the tag — a square sticker with Mary Barrett Stevens on it. Please call me if you find it!”
While the post was public, the overwhelming amount of attention it got caused it to be deleted. It is unclear if it was Stevens’ choice or if a group administrator deleted the post.
Based on the picture that accompanied the post, the toy is the Bashful Monkey made by company Jellycat, according to the New York Post. It is no longer in stock.
The Stevens family lives in Austin, Texas, where Mary was an elementary school student, People reported.
“Our world is shattered but I have peace getting your letters and knowing you were having the time of your life at camp and had a dance party with all of your friends before the Lord decided to take you from us,” Stevens said in a statement the Austin American-Statesman published.
A GoFundMe created for the family describes Mary as a “kind, spirited, and compassionate” girl. “Her laughter was infectious, her heart was generous, and her presence brought joy and comfort.”
