BOTM (Bead Of The Month) No. 13

I was 5 years old when daddy got me a teddy bear. Now looking at my toy many years later - that bear is a door to my childhood.

I remember the box it came in - I felt so excited! My dad let me open the box first. There was a note on top. He read me the note out loud and handed me the bear. It was love at first sight! It was so soft and so fuzzy. I was carrying it around wherever I went: I fed it when I ate, I washed it when I bathed, and I always hugged it before I slept.

My father's hugs - I can feel them as I type. The comfort, the warmth we shared, the bonding experience was priceless. Now I see - sometimes it’s easier to put love into hugs than into words. When we hug our hearts connect.

My dad is long gone. I don't have many regrets but I do regret not hugging him more. I regret not giving him simple hugs when I could while he was here. Hugs felt awkward and silly. The note he wrote stayed with me. I carried his message through my life. The note read: “HUG ME.”.