Bear
We met many bears this summer across America and Canada. When you see a bear, a real life big moving muscular bear, an instinctive bolt of fear rushes through you. For a moment, we turn back into our cave-dwelling selves. We check our surrounding to see if the protection we have around us is enough should the bear decide to come at us, or ensure there is an exit route and enough distance between the bear and you to make it to the exit route. All this happens in a split second because it's in our instinct to do so.
This is a case where nature entirely wins over nurture. Until we meet our first real life bear, the only nurture reference point we have of bears are teddy bears. Those fluffy, cuddly cute bears given to us through out our lives. They bring comfort and companionship through the lonely process of growing up. Only you and Mr Teddy go through the pains and joys of your childhood together every step of the way. Teddy bears are the guardians of our childhood souls.
Seems so strange to me that something that is so feared in nature should come to represent care, compassion and undying companionship in its fluffy stuffed form. I am, however, so grateful for them, for all the tears they soak up, all the cheers they silently give and all the hugs they hold waiting for us.
