A Time To Embrace

Today, November 7th, according to the calendar of weird and wacky holidays, is observed as National Hug a Bear Day.

The calendar is quick to offer a disclaimer not to hug a real bear, but to hug a Teddy Bear. Why? Well, the history is rather interesting and traced back to the U. S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

According to the story, Roosevelt, who was also known as a hunter and nature lover, was invited on a bear hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi in November 1902. However, no one in the party could find a single bear to shoot.

Finally, Roosevelt’s assistants found a black bear, cornered it, and tied it to a willow tree. For a photo op, they encouraged the President to shoot the bear. Roosevelt refused, seeing this as unsportsmanlike. Apparently, the news spread throughout the country, prompting a political cartoonist, Clifford Berryman to satirize the event with a cartoon published in the Washington Post.

A candy store owner, Morris Mitchtom, saw the cartoon and decided to capitalize on the event and create a stuffed toy bear, called a Teddy Bear. And, as the expression goes, “the rest is history,” millions of Teddy Bears later.

While no one knows who, when, and where the Hug a Bear holiday originated, everyone is encouraged to not only give their Teddy Bear a nice big hug, but to buy Teddy Bears for other people or donate them to children’s wards in hospitals, or children in need.

Teddy Bears can symbolize kindness, compassion, and companionship. They may signify the bond of friendship between two people. It’s also a universal symbol of love, often given as a gift on Valentine’s Day. Furthermore, a Teddy Bear may provide emotional comfort and support, especially for children.

All of these are qualities so much needed in today’s rough and tumble culture. There’s too much anger, hostility, and hatred. Too many people seem to be on edge and become upset and provoked at the most trivial slight. Crude, coarse, and crass retorts and insults are hurled by our political leaders, talking heads on TV, pundits, and too often in our communities, homes, and even churches.

We need more empathy. Sympathy. Kindness. Compassion. Maybe hugging a bear would help. Or giving a bear to someone with a kind note.

Maybe better yet, instead of hugging a bear, we ought to seek out another person who could use a hug. The wise man counseled, “There is a time to embrace.” Of course, “there is a time to refrain from embracing,” as well. So, be conscious of the time, place, and person to whom you offer a hug.

Family, friends and brethren in Christ ought to head the list of those who feel the warmth of one another’s embrace. Do you see a friend who’s countenance is downcast? Offer them a hug. A crying child needs a hug, and maybe a Teddy Bear too. A friend seeking forgiveness and reconciliation will appreciate a hug.

The Bible often speaks of those expressing deep feelings for one another through embracing. Esau to his brother Jacob. Joseph to his brethren. Paul to the Ephesians elders. The father to the prodigal son. Indeed, as an unknown poet penned, “A hug delights and warms and charms, that must be why God gave us arms!”

Thoughtful and appropriate hugs say, “I love you.” “It’s good to see you.” “I’ll miss you.” “I feel your hurt.” “Thank you.” “I want to help.” “You’re special to me.”

In a world that is too often mean, cold and calloused, today hug a Teddy Bear. Or buy one for someone you care about. Or better yet, share a hug with another person, knowing you both need it.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman