In the last few days, I've been reading some of the theories of D.W. Winnicott, a pediatric psychiatrist who was the chief proponent of a unique British variation of psychoanalysis known as "Object Relations Theory." Winnicott put a name on a phenomenon familiar to all of us. He asserted that all children have what is called a ‘transitional object.' We can tell it is a ‘transitional object' because she always has it with her.  It's usually dirty and ratty because it can't be replaced. It might be a doll, a blanket, a teddy bear, a bottle, a pacifier, an item of clothing--anything! If a child's ‘transitional object' accidentally gets left at church, I usually get a frantic call from the parents, within the hour: "can…