Small treasured items found among piles of flood debris, have become symbols of hope for many Lismore residents who have lost everything in the recent flood disaster.

For Lismore business owner Lisa Lamarre, being reunited with a small tartan teddy that was found on a footpath has begun a healing process of grief for her.

Lisa discovered the teddy not long after after the Lismore App published a photograph we took of a forlorn teddy lying on Molesworth Street.

The social media post on March 16 said "this forlorn teddy on Molesworth Street is just a reminder of the mountains of flood waste recently scooped up by bob cats and dumped into skip bins.

"While the rubbish removal process slowly makes its way across residential and business areas, the lucky parts of the city no longer smell of rotting garbage and flood mud and mould."

Reunited

Lisa saw the post and recognised her teddy and she contacted the Lismore App with her story.

"I'm Lisa, and I own La Trouvaille, which had only just opened in front of the Star Court Arcade," she said.

"The little bear was a Christmas decoration and I had a box of them in different types of tartan from Canada; we had set up a beautiful Christmas tree in a second shop down the arcade.

"He was packed away with the rest in a mezzanine level storage, which of course was annihilated during the floods.

"We had been in and out over the last couple of weeks dumping lost stock and doing our best to clean up... as we were leaving the other day I spotted him in the gutter.

"It could not have been long after you took that amazing photo.

"I don't mind telling you - it opened the floodgates.

"To think this tiny, battered little fella had survived being drowned in mud, and then missed by the front end loaders removing everything and still be waiting for me to rescue him in that lonely gutter... finished me off.

"I brought him into the ruined store and sat him on a muddy shelf for a photo.

"Not long after I posted it my neighbour tagged me in your post. Just unbelievable.

"I know he's not much, but he has come to symbolize more than anyone will know.

"I will sit him under a glass cloche in the refurbished store and was hoping you might let me purchase a copy of your photo to put next to him.

"Thank you."

Lisa it is an honour to serve this community and share stories of the string and resilient people of Lismore. The photo is yours.

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Another Lismore business owner Ryan McCann shared a photo with the Lismore App of his "kids stuff".

It's often the toys that we discard that trigger tears.

If anyone has a story they wish to share with us, please contact [email protected]